CareCycle

🩺 CareCycle — Medicine Donation & Reuse Network

A full-stack web app that connects people with unused valid medicines to verified NGOs for redistribution — reducing pharmaceutical waste and promoting sustainable healthcare. Built with React, Node.js, Express, and MongoDB for the Sustainable Health & Connectivity Hackathon.

🚀 Deployment

Backend (Render)

• Service: Web Service
• Runtime: Node.js
• Build Command: npm install
• Start Command: npm start
• Environment Variables:
  • MONGODB_URI: Your MongoDB Atlas connection string
  • FRONTEND_URL: https://carecycle-frontend.onrender.com (after frontend deployment)

Frontend (Render)

• Service: Static Site
• Build Command: npm run build
• Publish Directory: build
• Environment Variables:
  • REACT_APP_API_BASE_URL: https://carecycle-2.onrender.com/api (after backend deployment)

Environment Files

• Backend .env: Contains MONGODB_URI and FRONTEND_URL
• Frontend .env: Contains REACT_APP_API_BASE_URL

Database

• Use MongoDB Atlas for production
• Create a cluster and get the connection string
• Update MONGODB_URI in backend environment variables

🛠️ Local Development

Prerequisites

• Node.js (v16+)
• MongoDB (local or Atlas)
• npm or yarn

Setup

1. Clone the repository

2. Install dependencies:

   # Backend
   cd backend
   npm install
   
   # Frontend
   cd ../frontend
   npm install

3. Set up environment variables:

   • Copy backend/.env and update MONGODB_URI

4. Start the application:

   # Backend (from backend directory)
   npm run dev
   
   # Frontend (from frontend directory)
   npm start

📁 Project Structure

carecycle/
├── backend/
│   ├── models/
│   ├── routes/
│   ├── server.js
│   ├── package.json
│   └── .env
├── frontend/
│   ├── src/
│   ├── public/
│   ├── package.json
│   └── build/
└── README.md