Rethinking Recycling

Incineration plant and recycling center by Jaroslav A. Polák

What they do rightDifferent colored bins with different shaped openingsRecycling bin next to cash register (so you can dispose extra packaging there itself)Social pressureUpto 44 different recycling bins

Recycling practices - Japan

It might not work everywhere…

Recycling bags per household need to be labelled so bad recyclers can be prosecuted

Instructions for foreigners on how to dispose of tetrapacks

What they do rightClearly colored binsDifferent shaped openingsGraphical representation on canInstructions on top

Recycling practices - Singapore

What they do rightClearly colored binsDifferent shaped openingsSimple graphical representationPackaging has clear recycling informationSocial pressureWaste bins play music

That’s why 1% of their trash goes into a landfill and they need to import trash to generate energy

Recycling practices - Sweden

Sweden

What they do rightMessagingGraphics on topDifferent shaped openings

Recycling practices – San Francisco

Identifying the problemInefficient categorization and instructionsWashing and drying is a barrierPeople sort by item, not material (all plastic bottles are not the same plastic)Co-mingled recyclingComposite materials in one material (tetrapack)Confusion over sorting during disposal but single stream collection

It’s difficult to understand what the material isInefficient reprocessingFinding a material for reprocessed materials

Exploring solutionsBased on my research, I could take three approaches to developing the final project

Creating a game that highlights the existing problems with recycling, specifically segregation and co-mingling.As consumers, we have good intentions to recycle but the barrier to segregation is high – packaging isn’t labelled in a way that’s easy to read, understand and take quick action.

Designing the shape, size, material of the disposal bag and bin and creating persuasive messaging at the point of disposal to reduce barriers.Some items are disposed more frequently than others so the bags can be smaller paper should be bundled, not thrown in a plastic bag.

Finding a balance between over- and under- categorization of material within a broader system. Categorizing households based on consumption habits to ensure ‘clean’ recyclingCurrently there is no connection between buying the product, consuming it and putting it in trash. Could Giant Eagle tell you what your recycling priority should be based on your purchases?Shruti Aditya ChowdhuryFall 2015 // IXD Lab // Instructor – Kyuha ShimSchool of Design // CMU