Overview

For a class project, I created a recycling app to help individuals establish or improve a habit of recycling.

Problem

The problem that the app aims to solve is that even those who are committed to recycling may sometimes need additional help to do a better job.

Solution

To help individuals improve their recycling habits, I designed a recycling app that provides motivation and resources. The app includes a feature that compares the amount of recycling versus waste a user generates, giving them a clear picture of their progress and encouraging them to recycle more. The more they recycle, the more points they can accumulate and exchange for prizes. The app also provides a directory of nearby recycling centers and information about what can and cannot be recycled. The app also has a blog with tips and advice on effective recycling, as well as a feature that allows users to see their friends’ environmental actions.

Surveys

Through the survey results, I was able to get a sense of what users might be encountering during the recycling process, as well as what motivates them to recycle in the first place. This information was vital in identifying areas for improvement and creating a more effective and user-friendly recycling experience.

In the survey when asked:

Recycling Experiences

“Do you think the process of recycling is easy?”  Individuals responded for the most part that it was easy especially when assistance was given. Some answers included:

• • Easy for me. Don’t think the collection, sorting and recycling is easy though
  • It can be confusing as to what can be recycled and what can’t. A lot of recycling places don’t take common types of plastic
  • I would recycle more often if I didn’t have to pay extra to have it picked up
  • Still difficult to figure out plastics

Recycling Motivators

“What motivates you to recycle?” many respondents mentioned the desire to protect the environment:

• • It is the right thing to do for our planet
  • Trying to save the planet, less plastic and garbage behind
  • Cleaner environment; reuse items
  • Reducing land fill, reuse
  • Environmental concerns
  • The hope that materials can be reused and not go to landfills
  • To make a better planet for the future
  • I feel like I am doing my part to preserve the earth

Interviews

People mentioned some obstacles they face when they try to recycle.

System at Home

The first one is the lack of a recycling system at home. Without a system in place, people may be more likely to throw recyclable items in the trash.

Easy and Accessible

Additionally, the process of disposing of recyclables needs to be easy and accessible.

Recycling Obstacles

Another obstacle is the fact that some items need to be taken to a recycling center, which can be time-consuming and require planning and scheduling.

“HMW encourage users who already recycle to become better at recycling?”

• 35 years old
• Two young children
• Busy and often has little time to spare

Rachel is a 35-year-old working mother of two young children. She is environmentally conscious and wants to do her part to protect the planet for future generations.

“I want to do my part to protect the environment, but it’s hard to recycle with a lack of a system in place at home and not many accessible options in my area.”

Motivations

• • Doing her part in protecting the environment and preserving the earth
  • Wanting to set a good example for her children and teach them about sustainability
  • Reducing her household’s waste and saving money on trash disposal fees

Frustrations

• • Lack of a system in place at home
  • Lack of easy and accessible recycling options in her area
  • Lack of knowledge on what can and cannot be recycled
  • Limited time and energy due to her busy schedule
  • Difficulty in finding eco-friendly and sustainable products and services in her area

• 32 years old
• Graphic Designer

Mark is a 32-year-old graphic designer who is committed to recycling and sustainability. He has a recycling system in place at home and makes an effort to recycle as much as possible. However, Mark sometimes struggles with knowing what can and cannot be recycled and has accidentally thrown recyclable items in the trash.

“I want to improve my recycling habits and become more knowledgeable about sustainability so I can make a bigger impact.”

Motivations

• • Desire to do his part in protecting the environment and preserving the earth for future generations
  • Learning more about eco-friendly practices and incorporating them into his daily life
  • The sense of accomplishment he feels when he makes sustainable choices and successfully recycles

Frustrations

• • Hard to find education and resources on recycling and sustainability
  • Wishes there were more options for recycling in his area
  • Struggles with knowing what can and cannot be recycled and has accidentally thrown recyclable items in the trash

Landfills

Environment

Lo-fi Wireflow

Feedback

• • Was not sure about the logo, TERR or TERRA, suggested to modify the recycling logo to look more like an A.
  • Too much green.
  • Had issues with the name of the app.
  • In recycling centers they thought they could find places that make items out of recycling materials.
  • Like to know what their friends are doing.
  • Couldn’t detect scroll on main screen.
  • There should be an incentive to earn something for recycling. “I would like to redeem my points for something.” Recycle 10 lbs a week and you will earn something.
  • I think showing the contrast of the good (recycling) and bad (landfill) really creates concern for the user.
  • I would change the badges, giving them a real shape, like a real badge.

Quotes

[callout]I think showing the contrast of the good (recycling) and bad (landfill) really creates a concern for the user.[/callout]

[callout]I wouldn’t use the app. It is too tedious to track and go back to say I recycled something.[/callout]

[callout]I find the recycling center location helpful as well. Back in my hometown they were always in such random places or parking lots.[/callout]

Mid-fidelity Wireflow

Updates

• • I updated the logo and added a recycle symbol in front to make it easier to read. Before some users had trouble understanding that the recycle symbol replaced the las “A” in the name “TERRA.”
    

    BEFORE

    AFTER

  • I added breathing space between all the sections on the main page to make it less crowded.
  • To address the issue of users not wanting to go back and confirm their recycling efforts, I added a store where they can earn badges and prizes for their efforts. This will give them an incentive to recycle and make them feel like they are accomplishing something.
  • I added tips to the landfill section to provide users with alternatives to throwing items away, such as eco-friendly items they can purchase in the future or ways to reuse items. This new feature will be something to explore further in future usability tests.
  • I added color to the screens to make the UI less green and more visually appealing. I used green and blue to remind users of the environment.