Locycle
The Problem Redesign the experience of residential recycling for Grand Rapids, Michigan residents, while considering public works and local businesses. In a consumerist and capitalist society, we aim to make recycling more intuitive and accessible. We needed to figure out the true barriers to recycling.
Context: The city of Grand Rapids is part of West Michigan culture of philanthropy. In 2010 the Kent County---in which Grand Rapids is a prominent city---made a pledge to recycle 20% of recyclables by 2020 and 90% of recyclables by 2030. As of last Fall, Grand Rapids was still at 15%
Recycling Contamination Contamination occurs when there are too many non-recyclables (trash, yard waste, non-accepted plastics, food grease-infused cardboard, shredded paper) in a load of recycling. Instead of individually sorting through these items, county employees often throw away an entire truckload to avoid contamination. On average, the Kent County recycling center claims that it can handle 8-10% contamination. The current contamination rate of Grand Rapids is roughly 12-15%.
Curbside Services Trash and recycling pickup fees are included in taxes, so residents need only roll their bin to the curb for pickup. Unlike trash pickup, recycling isn’t charged each time it is dumped. This service is also “single stream,” meaning that all accepted items---whether they’re glass, plastic, cardboard, or otherwise---can go in the same bin. This eliminates the need for sorting through your recyclables at home.
Bottle/Can Deposit The state of Michigan takes part in a deposit system: within the state, consumers can return approved pop and beer bottle cans for the 10-cent deposit they paid for at purchase. This program was designed to incentivize the recycling of these containers.
Neighborhood Scope Due to the time and resource constraints of this study, I limited my scope to homeowners in Southeast Grand Rapids neighborhoods. Additional user interviewing would need to take place before large scale initiatives are to be approached.
Affinity Mapping of User Interview findings
User Insights
Interview key findings - 3 interviewees, 45 minutes each
Homeowners want to recycle and minimize waste. They don’t want trash in their recycling and vice versa.
Most users rely on their personal experience over independent research. When users do research, the resources aren’t comprehensive.
Users are open to changing their buying and lifestyle habits in order to waste less and make things simple. Some users have already made such changes.
There’s a knowledge gap between what is generally considered to be recyclable and what is specifically recyclable within the city of Grand Rapids recycling service.
Personifying the uSEr
After user interviews and affinity mapping, I identified two types of users; the convenient recycler and the dedicated recycler. Although both committed to the idea of recycling, each had their own levels of dedication and motivation. Because of this, the concept product needed to cater to both types of needs.
Wireframes
Concept inspired by photo-based plant identification apps.
Concept Solution
Residents in Grand Rapids, Michigan want to recycle–they’re just having trouble with it. Recycling is confusing. There are different kinds of papers, plastics, metals, and that’s before even considering local regulations and available services. Recyclables are a product, and not every recycling center is equipped to process every product. How is a user to navigate such a confusing issue?
Locycle is a locally based mobile application that connects residents to their local waste resources and engages neighborhoods in recycling like never before. Based on existing plant identification apps that identify species from user’s phone cameras, the idea was to do the same for recyclable products. Connected to local waste services, the app would inform users on what and where different products are accepted as recyclables in their area.
Beta Target Audience: Residents of Grand Rapids, Michigan. Users of the Kent County Recycling Center and curbside recycling service.
Live in a Southeast neighborhood (Garfield Park, Alger Heights, Oakdale, Eastgate, Madison Heights).
Is responsible for or otherwise involved in home recycling.
Is between the ages of 25-60.
Has little to no knowledge of local recycling rules or procedures (both public and private).
May or may not make use of the Grand Rapids curbside recycling service but is at least aware of it.
