Teach me, Recycle me
As the global environmental crisis worsens, younger generations are speaking louder about the detrimental effects it will have on our future... but not everyone knows how to address this crisis head on. Teach Me, Recycle Me aims to tackle this through education and habit adoption — making recycling cool. By incorporating recycling practices and learning about our environment in everyday life, users will be able to make more conscious choices which can positively effect and last in our world
Timeline
March 2023
Responsibilites
Concept + User Research
User Experience Design & Research
Wireframing & Prototyping
Brand and Visual Identity Design
Custom Iconography
User interface & Interactive Design
Apps Used
Figma, Photoshop, Illustrator, After Effects
Team
Solo Project
The Problem
Many individuals lack the knowledge and tools to take meaningful action towards reducing their impact on the environment, leading to a continuation of harmful practices; the aim is to address this issue by providing an accessible platform that enables users to learn about the environment and adopt sustainable habits in their daily lives.
The Solution
Looking at this from three perspectives: product, user and metrics
1. Product
habit building
Users have access for how to recycle specific items at home or at closest distribution
habit building
Users have access for how to recycle specific items at home or at closest distribution
2. User
educational resource
Built in resources to educate on recycling, climate change and the environmental impacts
educational resource
Built in resources to educate on recycling, climate change and the environmental impacts
3. Metrics
reward system
Incentive for users to collect points when collecting data tracking growth and changes in user patterns
reward system
Incentive for users to collect points when collecting data tracking growth and changes in user patterns
Current Recycling Impact // Competitive
While keeping the above statistics in mind, I analyzed the competitive apps surrounding this space. I found that almost none of them had any aspect of teaching, were geographically limiting and were incredibly complex in the user journey. This then became my opportunity for the solution, Teach Me, Recycle Me.
Design Exploration
︎︎︎ Edgy design targeting Gen Z and Millennials to promote environmental habits and learning
︎︎︎ Moody and provocative atmosphere through darker tones, reflecting climate crisis urgency
︎︎︎ Image-driven with striking visuals showcasing environmental beauty and fragility
︎︎︎ combining modern fonts for a refined, bold, and inspiring aesthetic
User Interviews
Demographic
17 - 38
Gen Z + Millenial
Occupation
Student, Young Professionals
Management
Gender
45% women
55% men
45% women
55% men
Research Questions
- Do you recycle? and separate your trash? How often?
- What do you find most annoying about recycling nowadays?
- How many bins do you have in your house?
- If you knew more about the impact of recycling and habits to adopt it, would you try to change?
- Do you think recycling impacts climate change?
- Do you wish you knew more about recycling?
Affinity Diagrams // Insights
Major Insights
︎︎︎ People Want to Learn, Lack Confidence: People want to recycle right but don't always feel sure about doing it correctly. They're eager to learn but need more confidence.
︎︎︎ Recycling Programs Vary: Recycling rules aren't the same everywhere in the US. Different states have different recycling setups, which can be unfair.
︎︎︎ Feeling About Climate Change: People believe there's a link between recycling and climate change. The mix of feelings like guilt and frustration shows a deep emotional tie to recycling. This might push us to dig deeper into how caring for the environment relates to how we recycle.
Base Persona // Userflow
There are two different kinds of users for our app which led us to create two user flows: Learners and Recyclers.
Learner - Green Gala: Looking to use TMRM to learn more about the environmental impact of recycling, tips they can learn about being a more proactive recycler, and community events they can get involved with to become more green
Recycler - Curious Casey: Wants to learn more about how to recycle properly of items. They are unsure which items are to be recycled at home or at a distribution centre. TMRM shares two flows for proper recycling (both household items + items at a distribution center)
Sketching Efficient Flows
With my learning and habit formation goal in focus, I designed the app prioritizing speed and seamless communication to engage users effectively and maintain their attention during active use
1. Explorations of Navigation and Homepage Interaction
2. Different Visualizations of Search and Rewards
3. Recycle Info Page Sharing Distribution Options
Testing Wireframes → Applied Changes Based on Feedback
Applied Changes
︎︎︎ Accessibility: Added light and dark mode, increase font size and created custom iconography with unified weight sizes
︎︎︎ Personalization: Added in user's name to personalize the experience and make it feel more collaborative as it is a learning experience
︎︎︎ Simplified User Journey: Collapsed distribution and household with items information to create more seamless user journey
Final Screens - Dark // Light Modes
Custom Iconography
Custom icons were designed for enhanced app aesthetics and usability, aligning with its visual language and personality while effectively conveying TMRM's message.
Prototype
Reflections
If I had more time I would...
1. Add Gamification: can make learning about recycling more engaging and fun for users
2. Expand Content Library: include more in-depth information on specific recycling processes or materials and tips for reducing waste and living a more sustainable lifestyle
3. Add Community features: Aid for users to connect with each other, share tips and information, and organize localevents
during this learning process
︎︎︎ : can help you gain insights into your users' needs, pain points, and behaviors. By taking the time to understand your users, you can design solutions that truly meet their needs and create a better user experience
︎︎︎ Testing is Essential: Testing your designs with real users can help you identify issues and opportunities for improvement
︎︎︎ : It's important to identify the most important features and elements. By focusing on what really matters, you can create a more streamlined and effective product