Rbin
This is a project to help people quickly identify recyclable trash and recycle it. To motivate people to recycle, in the app users can buy a physical Rbin and throw recyclable bin to get Tokens (EET) in the Rbin app. People can buy new virtual Rbins by getting EET to get more EET every day.
This is a project to help people quickly identify recyclable trash and recycle it. To motivate people to recycle, in the app users can buy a physical Rbin and throw recyclable bin to get Tokens (EET) in the Rbin app. People can buy new virtual Rbins by getting EET to get more EET every day.
I did online interviews across three states(total 23 residents), age 20 - 30. 78% of them will throw their trash in the non-recyclable bin when they not sure if it's recyclable. I also asked the interviewees to determine whether some items were recyclable or not and came up with the following results. 61% of them misidentified recyclable items, include greasy pizza boxes, Styrofoam and used plastic tableware.
I did online interviews across three states(total 23 residents), age 20 - 30. 78% of them will throw their trash in the non-recyclable bin when they not sure if it's recyclable. I also asked the interviewees to determine whether some items were recyclable or not and came up with the following results. 61% of them misidentified recyclable items, include greasy pizza boxes, Styrofoam and used plastic tableware.
User Research
User Research
User Test
User Test
When I throw out recyclable trash I found that there are a lot of things in garbage bin is not recyclable. Most people throw their trash in the wrong bin, or even into a random garbage bin can without thinking. This may cause recyclable trash contamination.
When I throw out recyclable trash I found that there are a lot of things in garbage bin is not recyclable. Most people throw their trash in the wrong bin, or even into a random garbage bin can without thinking. This may cause recyclable trash contamination.
Inspiration
Inspiration
Role
Role
UI/UX Designer
UX Researcher
Product Designer
UI/UX Designer
UX Researcher
Product Designer
Duration
Duration
Jan - Mar 2022
Jan - Mar 2022
Skills
Skills
User Research, UX Design, UI Design, Product Design
User Research, UX Design, UI Design, Product Design
Problem
Problem
Contaminated recyclable waste contributed to the low overall recyclability rate in the United States.
Contaminated recyclable waste contributed to the low overall recyclability rate in the United States.
Background Research
Background Research
According to the data from unless otherwise indicated, compared to the rest of the world, the U.S. ranks quite low recycling percentages. The United States ranked 25th out of 32 countries. This ranking is determined by the total amount of waste recycled in each country.
According to the data from unless otherwise indicated, compared to the rest of the world, the U.S. ranks quite low recycling percentages. The United States ranked 25th out of 32 countries. This ranking is determined by the total amount of waste recycled in each country.
Why the U.S. garbage recycling rate is low?
Our research approach combined the following methodologies to capture a holistic view of user needs:
U.S. has been dependent on China for recycling until 2018.
Lack of education about what’s recyclable.
Domestic recycling infrastructure in the U.S. has not been well developed and high recycling costs.
Many recyclable items become contaminated when items are placed in the wrong bin
Why the U.S. garbage recycling rate is low?
Our research approach combined the following methodologies to capture a holistic view of user needs:
U.S. has been dependent on China for recycling until 2018.
Lack of education about what’s recyclable.
Domestic recycling infrastructure in the U.S. has not been well developed and high recycling costs.
Many recyclable items become contaminated when items are placed in the wrong bin
According to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), the average municipality sees a recycling contamination rate of at least 19 – 40% generally. Many recyclable items become contaminated when items are placed in the wrong bin, or when dirty food containers enter the recycling bin.
This results in a lot of garbage that could have been recycled eventually becoming non-recyclable.
According to EPA (Environmental Protection Agency), the average municipality sees a recycling contamination rate of at least 19 – 40% generally. Many recyclable items become contaminated when items are placed in the wrong bin, or when dirty food containers enter the recycling bin.
This results in a lot of garbage that could have been recycled eventually becoming non-recyclable.
Goals
Goals
Help people correctly distinguish recyclable waste and reduce the rate of trash contamination.
Help people correctly distinguish recyclable waste and reduce the rate of trash contamination.
Brainstorm
Brainstorm
sketch
Sketch
Sketch
Wireflow
Wireflow
App Mechanics
App Mechanics
Connects to the physical Rbin using Bluetooth with cell phone. The user will get a bronze level virtual Rbin from the system when the first connection is completed.
LEVEL
Virtual Rbin have five Level of materials, plastic bags(bronze), paper box(silver), plastic bag(gold), iron trash bin(platinum), and dumpster(Puple Gold).
TRADE
At this point users can actually start using Rbin and start earning Eco Energy Tokens (EETs) by throwing away recyclable trash.
Users can use EETs to buy new virtual Rbins in the marketplace, or withdraw to market.
UPGRADE
Users can use multiple virtual Rbins to upgrade a virtual Rbin of the same level, and upgraded virtual Rbin can earn more EETs every time.
FUSION
Users can also put in multiple virtual Rbins of different levels for fusion, and can obtain a virtual Rbin of random level.
Connects to the physical Rbin using Bluetooth with cell phone. The user will get a bronze level virtual Rbin from the system when the first connection is completed.
LEVEL
Virtual Rbin have five Level of materials, plastic bags(bronze), paper box(silver), plastic bag(gold), iron trash bin(platinum), and dumpster(Puple Gold).
TRADE
At this point users can actually start using Rbin and start earning Eco Energy Tokens (EETs) by throwing away recyclable trash.
Users can use EETs to buy new virtual Rbins in the marketplace, or withdraw to market.
UPGRADE
Users can use multiple virtual Rbins to upgrade a virtual Rbin of the same level, and upgraded virtual Rbin can earn more EETs every time.
FUSION
Users can also put in multiple virtual Rbins of different levels for fusion, and can obtain a virtual Rbin of random level.
Final Solution
Final Solution
