UI/UX Research & Design
UI/UX Research & Design
UI/UX Research & Design
RecycleMore
RecycleMore
RecycleMore
Introduction
Introduction
Introduction
Overview
Overview
Overview
RecycleMore is an app that provides accurate and timely information about the recyclability of an item. This takes the pressure off the user to research and navigate the confusing waters of recycling, enabling people to recycle more and recycle better.
RecycleMore is an app that provides accurate and timely information about the recyclability of an item. This takes the pressure off the user to research and navigate the confusing waters of recycling, enabling people to recycle more and recycle better.
Background
Background
Background
In high school, I volunteered to sort recyclables after school, and through this experience, I learned just how nuanced recycling is. Recycling is oftentimes more restrictive than we think, and even when we mean well, recycling something that isn't recyclable can actually contaminate other recyclables. In addition, recycling guidelines vary in different countries, states, and cities so this makes recycling even more difficult.
In high school, I volunteered to sort recyclables after school, and through this experience, I learned just how nuanced recycling is. Recycling is oftentimes more restrictive than we think, and even when we mean well, recycling something that isn't recyclable can actually contaminate other recyclables. In addition, recycling guidelines vary in different countries, states, and cities so this makes recycling even more difficult.
Problem
Problem
Problem
Through my research and interviews/surveys, here is the problem statement for the project:
For people who want to recycle to help the environment, it is a constant struggle to find clear and concise information on what items to recycle and what symbols mean when they are out or at home. Every time they come across this issue, they either have to guess, rely on someone else, search it up online, or just throw it away. If there was a way to streamline this process, then people would spend less time and energy deciding what to do with recyclables and be able to actually recycle more often.
Through my research and interviews/surveys, here is the problem statement for the project:
For people who want to recycle to help the environment, it is a constant struggle to find clear and concise information on what items to recycle and what symbols mean when they are out or at home. Every time they come across this issue, they either have to guess, rely on someone else, search it up online, or just throw it away. If there was a way to streamline this process, then people would spend less time and energy deciding what to do with recyclables and be able to actually recycle more often.
User Research
User Research
User Research
Interview & Survey Summary
Interview & Survey Summary
Interview & Survey Summary
People believe recycling is important, but they mainly value convenience. Many are confused about recycling guidelines and know very little about location specificity and recycling numbers on plastics. Most people said they had accidentally recycled something not recyclable. Everyone felt like they were positively contributing to the environment when they recycled versus putting something in the trash.
People believe recycling is important, but they mainly value convenience. Many are confused about recycling guidelines and know very little about location specificity and recycling numbers on plastics. Most people said they had accidentally recycled something not recyclable. Everyone felt like they were positively contributing to the environment when they recycled versus putting something in the trash.
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
Competitive Analysis
R.I.D. (Recycling Identification Device)
A small scanner device that when held against packaging will identify the material and send feedback through a light which will indicate whether it is recyclable or not (green for recyclable, etc.). It is designed to be updatable, for example when updates are needed when new products or packaging is released, then it can be updated through a rewritable RFID card.
My comparison: An app allows for more convenient portability than carrying an additional device everywhere. It also enables more nuanced and detailed information to be conveyed.
R.I.D. (Recycling Identification Device)
A small scanner device that when held against packaging will identify the material and send feedback through a light which will indicate whether it is recyclable or not (green for recyclable, etc.). It is designed to be updatable, for example when updates are needed when new products or packaging is released, then it can be updated through a rewritable RFID card.
My comparison: An app allows for more convenient portability than carrying an additional device everywhere. It also enables more nuanced and detailed information to be conveyed.
RecycleSmart
An Australian app with a “Recyclopedia” of what is recyclable or not based on your current location/address you input. Includes a search function and sorts items out by category. They also have other functions like scheduling a pickup service for certain items like textiles, batteries, and polystyrene if you reside in a certain council where this is available.
My comparison: I want to include a scanning function for quick results in addition to the search function. I would theoretically sort items automatically by most commonly viewed/searched (versus alphabetically) to allow faster access to information. Also, the use of picture/text cards can be beneficial for quick recognition of items rather than relying mainly on text.
RecycleSmart
An Australian app with a “Recyclopedia” of what is recyclable or not based on your current location/address you input. Includes a search function and sorts items out by category. They also have other functions like scheduling a pickup service for certain items like textiles, batteries, and polystyrene if you reside in a certain council where this is available.
My comparison: I want to include a scanning function for quick results in addition to the search function. I would theoretically sort items automatically by most commonly viewed/searched (versus alphabetically) to allow faster access to information. Also, the use of picture/text cards can be beneficial for quick recognition of items rather than relying mainly on text.
Solution & Design
Solution & Design
Solution & Design
Flow Diagram
Flow Diagram
Flow Diagram
Prototype
Prototype
Prototype
Features:
Location tracking: easily get the most accurate information on recycling guidelines for your current location
3 Ways to Recycle
Scanning function (MAIN): quickly scan any item in your hand and get instantaneous information
Search function: type and search for an item
Scroll through item cards: homepage holds a list of all the item cards, sorted from most visited to least
In depth recycling info: review at your own leisure, learn more about recycling
"My Recycling Impact!": a "just for fun" way to keep track of what items you have recycled and the impact you have made (completely optional)
Features:
Location tracking: easily get the most accurate information on recycling guidelines for your current location
3 Ways to Recycle
Scanning function (MAIN): quickly scan any item in your hand and get instantaneous information
Search function: type and search for an item
Scroll through item cards: homepage holds a list of all the item cards, sorted from most visited to least
In depth recycling info: review at your own leisure, learn more about recycling
"My Recycling Impact!": a "just for fun" way to keep track of what items you have recycled and the impact you have made (completely optional)
User Testing
User Testing
Some changes I made from user testing and feedback include:
Adding text to the stepper for the “Recycle it!” be more clear about what it is for
Include the profile icon in the header bar (familiarity)
A/B testing results
Updated location bar to match the button style
The scan button positioned separate from the search bar to stand out as the main function
“Back” button and “Recycle it!”/stepper buttons styled to match the other back button and positioned close to the bottom for easy access
Some changes I made from user testing and feedback include:
Adding text to the stepper for the “Recycle it!” be more clear about what it is for
Include the profile icon in the header bar (familiarity)
A/B testing results
Updated location bar to match the button style
The scan button positioned separate from the search bar to stand out as the main function
“Back” button and “Recycle it!”/stepper buttons styled to match the other back button and positioned close to the bottom for easy access
Conclusion
Conclusion
Conclusion
From final testing and presentation feedback, people responded well to the user journey and the convenience of use. I was surprised at how many people liked the "My Recycling Impact!" tracker because my focus was to streamline the "research" process people go through when finding out whether something was recyclable or not. It was intended to be a fun & personalized side feature that was completely optional because tracking what you recycle adds another step to the process. Also, ideally the more you recycle, the less you will have to use the app. However, people said this would encourage them to recycle more to see how much of an impact they could make.
From final testing and presentation feedback, people responded well to the user journey and the convenience of use. I was surprised at how many people liked the "My Recycling Impact!" tracker because my focus was to streamline the "research" process people go through when finding out whether something was recyclable or not. It was intended to be a fun & personalized side feature that was completely optional because tracking what you recycle adds another step to the process. Also, ideally the more you recycle, the less you will have to use the app. However, people said this would encourage them to recycle more to see how much of an impact they could make.
Contact
Contact
Contact