PROBLEM STATEMENT
How might we encourage Gen Zers (18+) to regularly compost their food waste?
SOLUTION
A composting bin management app that helps Gen Z (18+) compost effectively and regularly.
Jump to Outcome
Project Roadmap
RESEARCH STAGE
Understanding Compost in Current Society
We've chosen to assess composting’s impact to understand its benefits and use data to encourage wider adoption.
7.8M Cars
are removed, if everyone in the United States composted
881M People
are in food insecurity
1.3 Billion Tons
of food in the world are wasted or lost
43% Food Waste
comes from homes
Understand Gen Zers(18+) Attitude and Point of view
Gen Z shows a strong willingness to protect the environment, believing it directly impacts their way of life. With studies showing stronger sustainability concerns than previous generations.
Compost Site Visit
Recruit Interviewees + Acquire compost skills
LA County Compost Workshop
LA ArtCenter Compost Garden
LA County Compost Workshop
Interview Objectives
Recruit Interviewees + Acquire compost skills
01
Engage inactive Gen Z in composting and environmental action.
02
Encourage Gen Z (18+) to home compost through efficient education.
03
Explore home and industrial composting methods, pros, and cons.
04
Understand participants' motivations for gardening and composting.
05
Collaborate with universities, organizations, clubs, and parents to promote student food composting.
Interviewee Recruitment
After visiting compost sites and workshops, we recruited 9 Interviewees in 3 types:
experts, composting amateurs, and non-composting individuals.
2 Experts
3 Non-Composting Individuals
4 Composting Amateurs
DEFINE STAGE
Affinity Map Topics
Organize Interview Note + Extract Insights
School/Community Based Influence
Benefits of Compost
Self Composting Needs More Help
Relationship Garden & Compost
Physical Constraints/Factors w Composting
Controversy over Composting Machines
Bringing Engagement of PPL to Compost
Motivation & Prior Knowledge to Environmental Protection
Wishes on Easier Self-Compost
Green Washing
Research + Interview Insights
HMWs from Insights
01
Composting initiatives rooted in family & gardening background
HMW uses experienced individuals as ambassadors for knowledge transfer?
02
Self-composting: Online research, limited feedback
HMW deliver information around composting in suitable & understandable ways
03
Composting methods depend on lifestyle & living
HMW make composting adaptable to diverse lifestyles and living arrangements?
HMW STATEMENT
HMW deliver information around composting in suitable & understandable ways ?
Dine in Cafetertia
Cook at Home
Minimum protection on environment
Positive engagement with environment
User Type Matrix
Sustainability Unconscious Diner
Recruit Interviewees + Acquire compost skills
Characteristics
Lack of awareness of its carbon footprint, and damages to the environment
Eating meals less structured,
want food to be ready anytime
Only taking in what they can eat in the plate, doesn’t purchase excessively
Motivation & Needs
Be efficient & less wasteful
Feel rewarded for contribution
Peer-influenced trend following
User Story + Scenario
As a student, I want accessible composting info, quick impact, and motivation to contribute to the environment
IDEATE STAGE
Function Ideation
Ideate app flow based on user needs
Portable Composting Kits
Personalized Recommendation
Specialized Compost Bin design for different lifestyle
Connect with communitied
Immersive Awareness & Encouragement
DESIGN STAGE
Paper Prototype
Based on takeaways from Research & Define stage, 5 tasks are created:
01
Set Up Bin
02
Add In Greens
03
Away Mode
04
Give / Take
05
View My Impact
OUTCOME
Feature 01
Bin Status Monitor
Real-time insights into the current status of the composting bin
Clear visualization of bin conditions for easy understanding
Timely reminders and notifications prompting users to add compost materials
Prototype
Feature 02
Away Mode
Ensure the bin's health while the user is away by preparing compost materials in advance
Prototype
Feature 03
Give & Take
Give away surplus compost materials.
Take needed compost materials
from others
Prototype
Feature 04
Impact Visualization
Data visualization of users' impact based on the successful compost records recorded by the app, showcasing their contribution to the community
Prototype
ONBOARDING
Set Up Bin
Guide users through bin setup
Introduce features
Facilitate the start of the composting process
Prototype
FOODPRINT
Unique Mix | Unique Impact
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