Turning plastic waste into transit travel
Project Title: Lid Loop Recycling app
Project Duration: 2 weeks
Role: UX and UI Designer, Researcher
Tools Used: Figma, Adobe XD, Illustrator
Objective: Design an app that incentivises recycling by converting bottle caps into credits for public transport cards
PROJECT OVERVIEW
The Problem
In 2021, an estimated 583 billion plastic bottles were produced globally, contributing significantly to the plastic waste crisis. Among this waste, bottle caps present a unique challenge; their small size and lightweight nature often cause them to be overlooked in recycling processes. As a result, countless caps end up in landfills, waterways, and oceans, harming wildlife, disrupting ecosystems, and contributing to the growing issue of microplastic pollution. Addressing this specific problem is crucial for reducing plastic waste's environmental impact and improving global recycling efficiency.
The solution
Lid Loop is an innovative app designed to tackle the issue of plastic waste by incentivising the recycling of bottle caps. The app encourages sustainable behaviour by rewarding users with transit credits with earning 25 cents per recycled lid that can be applied toward public transport fares. This approach not only reduces plastic waste but also promotes eco-friendly commuting. This case study explores the complete design journey of Lid Loop, from initial research and ideation to prototyping, user testing, and future development opportunities.
Target Audience
Lid Loop's primary demographic includes young adults, daily commuters, and environmentally conscious individuals who face challenges such as limited incentives for recycling, complicated reward systems, and difficulty accessing eco-friendly alternatives.
Objective
Primary Goal
The primary goal of Lid Loop is to develop an intuitive app that transforms recycling into a seamless and rewarding experience for users. By addressing the common challenges associated with recycling, such as inconvenience and lack of tangible benefits, the app aims to motivate individuals to adopt more sustainable habits. Lid Loop seeks to make recycling accessible and straightforward, ensuring users can easily participate without unnecessary barriers. Through its user-friendly interface and integrated rewards system, the app encourages recycling and fosters a sense of accomplishment and contribution to environmental preservation.
Key objectives
The key objectives of Lid Loop focus on addressing critical barriers to recycling while encouraging sustainable behaviours. First, the app simplifies recycling bottle caps by providing clear instructions and user-friendly features, ensuring individuals can participate with minimal effort. Second, it seamlessly integrates with public transit systems, allowing users to convert their recycled caps into transit credits that are instantly usable, promoting convenience and accessibility. Lastly, Lid Loop fosters environmental awareness through gamification, such as achievements and leaderboards, and meaningful incentives that make recycling engaging and rewarding. These objectives aim to create a practical and impactful solution to reduce plastic waste while encouraging eco-friendly commuting.
Design Process
Typography
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Secondary
Akagi pro Bold
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Adrianna extended light
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Mockups
The outcomes of Lid Loop highlight its success in promoting sustainability and user engagement. The app effectively encourages users to recycle bottle caps while making the process rewarding and accessible. This initiative has demonstrated how integrating sustainability with practical benefits can drive positive behaviour change. Designing Lid Loop provided valuable insights into merging sustainability with user experience, emphasising how thoughtful design can address environmental challenges while meeting user needs. The project enhanced my understanding of designing for user motivation and sustainability, showcasing the potential of UI/UX in supporting circular economy initiatives