Footprint
Problem space
There is a disconnect in how we currently recycle in the US.
People are underinformed on how materials are properly recycled due to differing guidelines across municipals and the varieties of materials.
This broken understanding of waste management systems has had a snowball effect in which people feel they cannot make a consistent individual difference.
Solution
An app that supports people in every step of the recycling process:
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Educating on the guidelines
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Disposing based on material
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Visualizing the cumulative impact
All to reinforce better waste management habits!
Research
Interviews
I interviewed 5 people between 25-40 years old.
The conversations surrounded their waste management habits and behaviors.
An additional point of data was if these habits and behaviors had anything to do with where people lived
I made sure to interview people from:
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Small towns
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Urban centers
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Outside the US
Early Assumption
At first, I assumed I would be designing for two sets of users, people who believe in proper waste management and those who do not. I thought trying to persuade the latter would be one of my biggest challenges.
Key User Takeaways
Material Waste Today
Competitor Analysis
The products on the market are great at finding drop-off locations for one item at a time.
There is a huge opportunity in this space to help people recycle significantly more and to develop lifelong sustainable habits.
Solution
Defining the MVP
Key Features:
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Identify materials being recycledI
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Find Drop-Off locations for materials
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Record waste contributions
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Survey current waste management requirements
Explorations
The Concept of My Bin
It started with My Bin
My Bin is a single space within the app that solves for a majority of user pain points.
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Identify objects
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Drop-Off Locations
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Tracking Impact
Design Breakdown
Adding to My Bin
Experience Flow
Quick Add
This optimizes users’ time by adding a large batch of items with the Quick Add flow.
Experience Flow
Users' Track Impact
Track Impact
Track Impact measures the cumulative impact of individual users to show progress and give gratification.
Design Decisions
Experience Flow
Easy Access to Local Guidelines
Local guidelines
Local guidelines keep users up-to-date on requirements and pick-up schedules.
Experience Flow
Design Decisions
Conclusion
What Defines Success?
To determine if the MVP features had a positive outcome, I would
want to measure metrics that spoke to the key trends from my research.
Behaviors
Did the users’ impact grow and subsequently establish a sustainability minded habit?
Locations
How often do users utilize the app when they’re traveling?
Materials
Are people identifying more types of materials?
Next Steps
In this case study I addressed the potential this app has in changing users’ approach to daily waste on an individual and local level. With additional data, there is huge potential for a larger scale impact.
