Recycle Ready
Context:
It is very common for Swedish young people to deliberately not sort, even though they know they should, and we believe that many young people in particular find it difficult to "care" about sorting as soon as there is something small that complicates the process, for example that they do not know how a certain packaging should be sorted or that they simply do not have access to anything other than a bin for general unsorted waste (and then do not want to wait/get to a place where it would be possible either due to lack of energy or lack of knowledge ). Motivation and knowledge in the field is therefore an interesting problem to work around for the design theme and that is how we have chosen to interpret it. We think that it would be possible to develop some type of application/system that has the purpose of teaching, motivating and generally helping individuals to source sort more often and/or more accurately, all in one and the same application.
Team Duration Role Time
4 Designers 5 weeks UX&UI designer Autumn,2022
Team members: Chloe Lu, Fredrica Dufvenheim, Lova Avoltén, Sofia Kuchner,
Inspired by FN’s global goals, goal 11& 12
Sustainable cities and communities
Responsible consumption and production
Specifically, we therefore start from sub-goal 11.6 "reduce the environmental impact of cities", as well as 12.2 "sustainable management and use of natural resources", 12.5 "significantly reduce the amount of waste" and finally 12.8 "increase the public's knowledge of sustainable lifestyles".
Find the recycling station based on your needs.
Using Recycle Ready, users can find their nearest recycling station, or stations where you can recycle a certain of material. Besides, it not only presents users clear information about what types of material can be recycled in every station, but also gives instructions to guide users to the recycling station they choose to go to.
Scan/or manually the product about recycling information
Our application offers a seamless solution for eco-conscious consumers. By simply scanning the product's barcode, users can access comprehensive details about the item, along with customized recycling suggestions tailored to the package. Additionally, the app provides a list of nearby recycling stations where users can conveniently dispose of the product.
The app also enables manual search, allowing users to explore alternative products and access detailed information on each option. This feature facilitates informed decision-making, ensuring users make environmentally responsible choices.
Educate
Explore the wealth of knowledge our platform offers by delving into insightful facts and practical tips about recycling and its crucial role in safeguarding our environment. Moreover, immerse yourself in a comprehensive database, reminiscent of Wikipedia, which provides in-depth information on various environmental topics.
Points collecting and rewards
As users accumulate points, they unlock exciting new features and can even access exclusive physical rewards, fostering a sense of community collaboration with local businesses.
In addition to tracking your progress, the platform provides a detailed overview of your environmental contributions, including the amount of CO2 emissions you've helped to save through your recycling efforts. By adding friends and engaging with a dynamic points leaderboard, users can foster a sense of friendly competition and inspire one another to greater sustainable action.
Moreover, the app allows you to set personal recycling goals, providing insights into what's needed to reach each milestone and progress to the next level. With a comprehensive history feature, users can reflect on their past recycling activity, fostering a sense of pride in their ongoing environmental efforts.
Context
Findings
Research & Ideation
It is very common for Swedish young people to deliberately not sort, even though they know they should, and we believe that many young people in particular find it difficult to "care" about sorting as soon as there is something small that complicates the process, for example that they do not know how a certain packaging should be sorted or that they simply do not have access to anything other than a bin for general unsorted waste (and then do not want to wait/get to a place where it would be possible either due to lack of energy or lack of knowledge ). Motivation and knowledge in the field is therefore an interesting problem to work around for the design theme and that is how we have chosen to interpret it. We think that it would be possible to develop some type of application/system that has the purpose of teaching, motivating and generally helping individuals to source sort more often and/or more accurately, all in one and the same application.
From interviews and ethnographic observations conducted with 6 young people and 2 person that has master diplom in global environment. We have found out that insufficient is the biggest problem, while lack of "importance" also weighs pretty heavy, unnecessary mistakes are OK because "I'll throw away the right one next time" or "I usually throw away the right one otherwise". To our surprise, knowledge around topic is actually less of a problem than we thought, only for specific objects which contains several types of material, which is hard for them to recycle in a right way on their own.
We also conducted “Framtidsverkstad - Future workshop” one week after, participants contributed us about their ideas on current problems och brainstormed about possible solutions.
Problems:
Motivation
Lack of information
Dignity
Solutions:
Knowledge/info about sorting options
Commitment (related to motivation)
Convenience (simple and convenient as possible)
