How to build a sharing community
Research-based design to create a human-centred recycling experience
Discovery:
User observation — I identified trend-led women as my core users as they have a high turnover of clothing into and out of their wardrobes and I wanted to learn about current methods and systems they use to recycle clothing. I asked my four participants to select at least one piece of clothing they no longer wanted and to walk me through the steps they take to recycle it. I was interested in;
- What my users do now
- What goals my users have and what they are trying to achieve
- Are they utilising any workarounds or hacks or encountering errors in their systems
User interviews — I then conducted in-depth interviews with my core users to understand their missions and behaviours around recycling clothing and using recycled clothing.
Research synthesis — I identified common user goals and requirements when recycling, the most interesting of which I found to be that, users really want to know more about the people that use their old clothing. They need a way of getting information about what happens to their clothing after they have recycled it.
Users want to know more about the people that use their old clothing.
Hypothesis and design point of view — My hypothesis, based on my researched user need, is that users will be more likely to recycle their clothing if they can see evidential gain it provides their beneficiary. Together, we can build a more sustainable future where our clothes are for life, not landfill.
With an increased movement to recycle all clothing through a better connected community, no item of clothing should have to end up in landfill.
Introducing REcycle, the app:
REcycle is a free app connecting people with their neighbours so surplus clothing can be shared, not end up in landfill.
If you love clothes, hate waste, care about the environment or want to help and connect with your local community, REcycle is for you.
REcycle app is so easy! To make an item available, simply open the app, add a photo, description, and where the item is available for pick-up. That’s it, now sit back and wait for your clothes to find a new home!
Seen something you like the look of on the app and think you can give it a new home, simply browse the listings available near you, request whatever takes your fancy and arrange a pick-up via private messaging.
Copyright ©, all rights reserved, Sara Wright 2017
