Recycle NYC
What is Recycle NYC?
Recycle NYC is a responsive website that locates all of the public recycling bins in New York City.
Project Goal
As a "UX Team of One," I underwent user research, field research, and business strategy research to design a navigable experience for users looking for public recycling as they travel through New York City.
My Roles
UX Researcher | UX Designer | UX Writer | UX Team of One
RESEARCH & SYNTHESIS
The first step I took in this process was to interview individuals residing in New York City on their experiences in their morning commutes and finding public recycling bins in the city. From these interviews and I-Statements curated from affinity mapping, I want you to meet Chloe and explore her journey of recycling on her morning commute:
I-Statements
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I'm frustrated when I can't find a recycling bin.
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I want to recycle, but I'll throw it away if I can't find a recycling bin.
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I don't know where the recycling bins are near me or on my commute.
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I might litter or put my recyclables in my bag if I can't find a bin.
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I don't fully understand recycling guidelines.
PROBLEM STATEMENT
People in New York City have a difficult time finding public recycling bins in the city, and they don't fully understand what can and cannot be recycled. Because of these factors, Chloe is often tempted to throw away her recyclables.
How might we help Chloe find public recycling bins in New York City and achieve an understanding of what can be recycled?
MEDIUM-FIDELITY WIREFRAMES: MOBILE
Landing Page
• Current location
• Nearby recycling bins
• Map feature
Recycling Information
• How to recycle paper, metal, and plastic
• Linked informational article
• AI camera feature to identify recyclability
Location Page
• Exact location of selected recycling bin
• Marked image of recycling bin from street view
• Access to GPS directions
Search Feature
• Search for recycling bins by borough
• Selections of exact locations of recycling bins, organized by neighborhood
MEDIUM-FIDELITY USABILITY: MOBILE
SCENARIO
You are on the subway on your way to Sunset Park to visit a friend and you have a couple recyclables with you. You don't know where the public recycling bins are in their neighborhood, but you want to get rid of them before you see your friend.
TASKS
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You pull out your phone and open Recycle NYC's website and use it to find a public recycling bin in your friend's neighborhood.
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Now that you've found the recycling bins, continue to use the website to find out how your items can be recycled.
USABILITY ISSUES
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Users could not find where they were on the map and were confused by the dots and their meaning
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Users were slow to pick a borough if they found themselves on that wireframe and said there was "too much going on"
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Users wished there were a way for the site to show how to get to the bins
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Users were confused by the wording of the recycling information page
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Users wanted sources on recycling best practices
HIGH-FIDELITY MOCKUPS: MOBILE
Landing Page
• Current location
• Nearby recycling bins
• Map feature
Recycling Information
• How to recycle paper, metal, and plastic
• Linked informational article
• AI camera feature to identify recyclability
Location Page
• Exact location of selected recycling bin
• Marked image of recycling bin from street view
• Access to GPS directions
Search Feature
• Search for recycling bins by borough
• Selections of exact locations of recycling bins, organized by neighborhood
HIGH-FIDELITY USABILITY: MOBILE
SCENARIO
You are on the subway on your way to Sunset Park to visit a friend and you have a couple recyclables with you. You don't know where the public recycling bins are in their neighborhood, but you want to get rid of them before you see your friend.
TASKS
-
You pull out your phone and open Recycle NYC's website and use it to find a public recycling bin in your friend's neighborhood.
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Now that you've found the recycling bins, continue to use the website to find out how your items can be recycled.
HIGH-FIDELITY MOCKUPS: DESKTOP
Landing Page
• Current location
• Find nearby recycling bins based on current location
• Map feature
• Locations of other public recycling bins
Recycling Information
• Information on recycling paper, metal, and plastic
• Link to an article to find more information
• Camera feature where the user can identify the item's recyclability through AI
Bin Location
• Exact location of selected recycling bin
• Marked image of recycling bin from street view
• Access to GPS directions
Search Feature
• Search for recycling bins by borough
• Selections of exact locations of recycling bins, organized by neighborhoods
NEXT STEPS
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Exploring partnership options, like IBM Watson, because of their photographing and item-identifying software where it can tell you whether something is recyclable
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Obtaining the Google Maps API for GPS directions from your current location or chosen starting place to your designated recycling bins
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Finishing the buildout of this website