In conjunction with the US Census Bureau, a ragtag team of UX Designers, Software Engineers and Data Scientist sought out a way to use census data to Create a product that can increase awareness of single use plastics and its impact on local and larger communities.
Research
With the goal of creating a product that would increase awareness of single use plastics and its impact on local and larger communities, we set out with the hypothesis that If users have real-time information on best recycling practices, they will recycle more or use single use plastic less.
Key Questions
What are users current recycling methods?
What are users current knowledge on recyclable materials?
What apps are users currently using to track data?
What information are users provided with?
Who we talked to
Urban Communities 45%
Suburban Communities 65%
17 respondents from across the US. Various professions and educational levels.
17 respondents from across the US. Various professions and educational levels.
Insights Received - Current Recycling Methods
82% Throw all perceived recyclable items in one bin
12% Sort Recyclable Materials
6% Recycle only if option is available
100% Are not clear on what happens after recycling items.
“Are dirty things being recycled? If one item in my bin is incorrect, will they all get tossed?”
“It’s actually kind of difficult to find info on what codes our recycling facility accepts.”
Insights Received - Current Resources
83% of users feel their community could do a better providing more information on recyclable materials.
100% say accessibility is determining factor when recycling on th go.
Recommendations
1. Users need clear, real-time instructions on recycling. A breakdown of recycled materials based on local regulations.
2. Users want more knowledge on IMPACT MADE. A roadmap into their community’s process.
Prologue
The Opportunity Project (TOP) invited tech teams to create products and tools based on community feedback.
User research and exploration was set as an important step during this process. Tech teams that participated in TOP included industry start-ups, technologists from outside the government, and university students.
Team greenScan
PM - Joe Fernandez
UX Generalist - Stephanie Christian, Joe Fernandez, Jamie Leidwinger
UX Research - Jamie Magruder
UX/UI Designer - Kenneth Rowe
DS - David Sutton
SE - Victor Twu
Duration - 5 Weeks
My Roles - Project Manager, Synthesis, Wireframing, UI, Prototyping, Branding
Tools - Figma, Miro, Adobe Creative Suite, M.E.R.N. stack
Synthesis
Low Fidelity Wireflow (top level)
With the data collected we decided on three main features for the app.
Scan a Product
Using API data from upcitemdb.com, scan a UPC and determine the type of plastic used and provide user with recycling information specific to their location.
Find a Recycling Location
Using API data from earth911.com, provide users with recycling locations via map function with specific details of plastics the recycler will accept.
Recycling Codes
Provide user with information regarding the numbering system for plastics as found on commercial products.
User Flow (Scanning)
The user flow for the scanning feature turned out to have more pathways than originally imagined.
User Testing
We tested our low fidelity prototype with user and gave them a task of scanning a product, using the map and searching by recycle code. Overall users found the app intuitive, learnable and sentiment was incredibly positive.
User Testing
We tested our low fidelity prototype with user and gave them a task of scanning a product, using the map and searching by recycle code. Overall users found the app intuitive, learnable and sentiment was incredibly positive.
User Testing
We tested our low fidelity prototype with user and gave them a task of scanning a product, using the map and searching by recycle code. Overall users found the app intuitive, learnable and sentiment was incredibly positive.
"I love how you give us the recycle numbers. I always forget.”
“I would even consider going to a different store and change my brand loyalty if they offered a recycling service, as opposed to a usual one that does not.”
“I enjoy that it is web based, costs no money, and it’s easy to type in a website. You can also bookmark it.”
"It's educational and helpful. I recycle but wasn't sure I was doing it right.”
Design Considerations
Though it was generally positive there were some work to do.
• Add “Read More” option to highlight critical information
• Clarify “Alternative Products”
• Solidify global navigation
• More info on local drop-off
• Increase text size
Design
User Interface
We wanted our visuals to be friendly and light hearted as a way to keep users engaged and more likely to come back for more information.
We hope to empower the community with a product that is both inviting and actionable.
Additionally, with further iterations we believe that gamification opportunities beyond this MVP.
Prototype
Now that all of our data validated and our UI in place we were ready to complete the final prototype. In fact, there was still much to do, more testing, more iterations, but our MVP met our definition of done and so we moved fast to complete.
Please feel free to check out the prototype by clicking the button below. It will open a new webpage. So come back once you are done!
Live Version
To meet the requirements of TOP a prototype was not enough. We needed a working MVP. Our developer did an amazing job! Originally, the team was staffed with 4 developers. All but one intrepid Software Engineer remained and essentially wrote all the code for the app.
Created as a web app greenScan was completed and can be used on your smart phone web browser at;
greenscan.app
Use your phone to see it in action.
Presentation
Finally we were ready to present our app to the Census Bureau's Opportunity Project! The response was amazing. We all believe that we might have created something that could live on and are exploring the possibility of finding funding.
Please click on the video on the right to see our live walkthrough!
