Ask MURF
An app that helps reduce recycling contamination
ROLE
UX Design & Research
PROJECT TYPE
Interaction Design Specialization
Capstone Project
Recycling Contamination, Does it mean that the recyclables are exposed to airborne diseases? Or are they dipped in toxic waste? And why does it cost an additional ONE MILLION DOLLARS towards Recycling? Hence began my quest to find answers for this issue.
Project Overview
People are very enthusiastic about recycling; however, they are often confused about how to do it correctly which results in recycling contamination. The goal of this project was to take away the guesswork of “what is or is not recyclable” and encourage people to reduce the recycling contamination.
Problem Research Process
Being a recycler myself, I was often confused about how to recycle correctly. To understand the recycling process, I spoke to a Recycling Supervisor and observed the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) of my hometown. Based on my initial research and findings, I interviewed heavy to low recyclers to understand their thought process, pain points and issues related to recycling.
Research Insights
Key Insights
What is Recyclable changes from city to city
Not all recyclables are accepted at curbside recycling
MRF decides the recyclables
Core Issues
Residents lack awareness
Guidelines not readily available
Town does not have enough resources to educate and re-educate about recycling
User Need and Ideation
Observations and research confirmed the need to educate residents about recycling contamination. An easier approach was needed to sort recyclables from the non-recyclables.
One optimal approach is leveraging technology for continuous education and re-education by providing updates at one’s fingertips solving the conundrum of what-is-or-is-not-recyclable.
With a good understanding of the user needs, an inspiration board was created that consisted of existing and related products for recycling, which was used as a competitive analysis and come up with interface ideas.
Project Overview
People are very enthusiastic about recycling; however, they are often confused about how to do it correctly which results in recycling contamination. The goal of this project was to take away the guesswork of “what is or is not recyclable” and encourage people to reduce the recycling contamination.
Problem Research Process
Being a recycler myself, I was often confused about how to recycle correctly. To understand the recycling process, I spoke to a Recycling Supervisor and observed the Material Recovery Facility (MRF) of my hometown. Based on my initial research and findings, I interviewed heavy to low recyclers to understand their thought process, pain points and issues related to recycling.
Research Insights
Key Insights
Recyclables changes from city to city
Not all recyclables are accepted at curbside recycling
MRF decides the recyclables
Core Issues
Residents lack awareness
Guidelines not readily available
Town does not have enough resources to educate and re-educate about recycling
User Need and Ideation
Observations and research confirmed the need to educate residents about recycling contamination. An easier approach was needed to sort recyclables from the non-recyclables.
One optimal approach is leveraging technology for continuous education and re-education by providing updates at one’s fingertips solving the conundrum of what-is-or-is-not-recyclable.
With a good understanding of the user needs, an inspiration board was created that consisted of existing and related products for recycling, which was used as a competitive analysis and come up with interface ideas.
Inspiration Board
Story Boards and Prototypes
Storyboard illustrations were used to ideate on multiple designs in order to find the simplest user interaction possible. Heuristic Evaluation was then used to gain valuable insights on consistent designs to improve and finalize the paper prototype. Wireframes were then created in Keynote to test the interaction design.
Digital Design and Usability Testing
The first interactive high fidelity prototype was built using InVision, which was used to test the app in person and do an online A/B testing. From these observations and user feedback, the design was further refined.
Branding
The key differentiator as compared to the other recycling apps is that this app helps identify the recyclables based on different city guidelines set by the Material Recycling Facility (MRF) pronounced as MURF’s. Hence the name ‘Ask MURF.’
Introducing Ask MURF
Ask MURF app is an attempt to design a tool that is available on smart phones and tablets and similar devices that can take away the confusion on what-is-and-what-is-not recyclable and thereby greatly reduce Recycling Contamination and save the environment and valuable resources.
