WasteWise

A solution that connects these users with waste collectors and recycling centers in an efficient and rewarding way.

A solution that connects these users with waste collectors and recycling centers in an efficient and rewarding way.

Duration

Duration

2 months

2 months

Tools Used

Tools Used

Figma, Miro

Figma, Miro

Introduction

Introduction

I’ve always been deeply interested in solving real-world problems through design, and one major challenge I’ve observed in many African cities is waste management. Improper disposal of waste contributes to both environmental and health issues, and while there are recycling efforts in place, they often feel fragmented and inaccessible. This sparked an idea: what if I could create a platform that connects households, waste collectors, and recycling centers, making waste management more accessible and efficient?
With this in mind, I decided to design a mobile app that tackles waste management while incentivizing recycling through a point-based reward system. My goal was to provide a simple, user-friendly interface that allows users to schedule pickups, monitor their recycling progress, and earn rewards, all while educating them on better waste management practices.

I’ve always been deeply interested in solving real-world problems through design, and one major challenge I’ve observed in many African cities is waste management. Improper disposal of waste contributes to both environmental and health issues, and while there are recycling efforts in place, they often feel fragmented and inaccessible. This sparked an idea: what if I could create a platform that connects households, waste collectors, and recycling centers, making waste management more accessible and efficient?
With this in mind, I decided to design a mobile app that tackles waste management while incentivizing recycling through a point-based reward system. My goal was to provide a simple, user-friendly interface that allows users to schedule pickups, monitor their recycling progress, and earn rewards, all while educating them on better waste management practices.

Problem

Problem

Waste management is a significant challenge across many African cities, leading to environmental pollution and health risks. While some recycling efforts exist, they are often scattered, poorly organized, and difficult for everyday users to engage with. Many households lack access to proper disposal methods or incentives to recycle, leading to improper waste disposal practices. I wanted to create a solution that connects these users with waste collectors and recycling centers in an efficient and rewarding way.

Waste management is a significant challenge across many African cities, leading to environmental pollution and health risks. While some recycling efforts exist, they are often scattered, poorly organized, and difficult for everyday users to engage with. Many households lack access to proper disposal methods or incentives to recycle, leading to improper waste disposal practices. I wanted to create a solution that connects these users with waste collectors and recycling centers in an efficient and rewarding way.

Solution

Solution

I envisioned an app that would streamline waste disposal and recycling by allowing households to easily schedule waste pickups, track their recycling progress, and earn points for their contributions. The platform provides education on waste sorting and management while rewarding users with points they can redeem for incentives like discounts on future pickups or eco-friendly products.

I envisioned an app that would streamline waste disposal and recycling by allowing households to easily schedule waste pickups, track their recycling progress, and earn points for their contributions. The platform provides education on waste sorting and management while rewarding users with points they can redeem for incentives like discounts on future pickups or eco-friendly products.

I envisioned an app that would streamline waste disposal and recycling by allowing households to easily schedule waste pickups, track their recycling progress, and earn points for their contributions. The platform provides education on waste sorting and management while rewarding users with points they can redeem for incentives like discounts on future pickups or eco-friendly products.

My Design Process

My Design Process

My Design Process

App Screens

App Screens

App Screens

Waste Collector Flow

Waste Collector Flow

For waste collectors, one of the biggest issues was the ability to track their upcoming tasks efficiently and monitor their earnings without hassle. Additionally, they needed a way to request additional pickups and view their route details in real-time.

Solution

Solution

On the waste collector user flow, I focused on simplifying task management and financial tracking. Here’s how the key features were structured:


Available Balance Section: I wanted the collectors to easily view their earnings, so I placed their current balance at the very top of the dashboard. This balance is displayed in a bold, prominent font to quickly draw attention. The “Withdraw Funds” button was included just below the balance, making it easy for collectors to access their money. I aimed to keep this section clean and uncluttered to avoid overwhelming the user.


Upcoming Pickups: This section is crucial for task management. I designed it to show a breakdown of upcoming routes with key details, such as the distance from the collector’s current location and the total number of pickups per route. I opted for a simple card layout for each route to keep it visually organized, allowing collectors to quickly scan their upcoming jobs and plan their day accordingly.


Recyclables pickup: By integrating this Request Pickup feature, waste collectors can directly coordinate with recycling companies, ensuring collected recyclables are efficiently handled, and they can focus more on their primary tasks.

Efficient Management for

Recycling Companies

Efficient Management for

Recycling Companies

In the recycling bodies' flow, I focused on creating a user-friendly interface that provides an overview of upcoming and historical pickups. The design is centered on making it simple for these organizations to manage their collection routes and recyclables.


Upcoming Pickups: This section provides quick access to key data, such as the number of scheduled pickups per route and the distance from the recycling company's location, making it easier to plan their operations.

Pickup History: I included a detailed Pickup History, where recycling companies can view their past collections, complete with information about the types of recyclables (e.g., plastic, glass, paper). This helps them keep track of the materials they've collected and ensures transparency in their operations.

Conclusion

Designing a waste management platform that seamlessly integrates households, waste collectors, and recycling bodies required careful consideration of each user group's needs and pain points. My goal throughout the process was to create a user-friendly and intuitive interface that simplifies the complexities of waste management and recycling.

For households, the focus was on convenience—providing them with easy scheduling options and visible incentives for sustainable practices.

For waste collectors, I emphasized clear navigation and transparency in their upcoming tasks, ensuring they can manage routes efficiently and monitor their earnings in real-time.

Lastly, for recycling bodies, I aimed for an operationally efficient interface that provides clear insights into upcoming collections and historical pickup data, allowing them to manage resources and recyclables effortlessly.

By focusing on user needs, I ensured that each interaction with the platform promotes better waste management practices while encouraging active participation in recycling. The entire design revolves around making waste management more accessible, efficient, and engaging for all users.
This project allowed me to explore how digital solutions can contribute to sustainable practices, and I believe the final design successfully bridges the gap between technology and environmental responsibility.