Context Table (Past, Present & Future)

From past to future: assessing the changing landscape of recycling

To gain insight into the evolving landscape of recycling, we utilize a contextual table to assess the progress made over time, enabling us to envision potential scenarios for the near future.

Aspects evaluated

• Individuals actively engaged in recycling practices.
• The types of services associated with the industries or practices utilizing recycled materials.
• The market demand for recycled materials.
• Prevailing cultural attitudes and perspectives.
• Technological equipment and advancements enhancing recycling processes.

Results summary

• Recycling has evolved from being primarily the concern of governments and institutions (in the past) to becoming a focus for companies and corporations (present), and it is now gaining prominence in individual homes and daily life (near future).
• Technological advancements have democratized recycling processes, making it possible for activities once confined to large industrial plants to be performed conveniently at home.
• The diverse array of services and companies contributing to technological evolution and best practices enhances visibility and involvement from various stakeholders.

Secondary Research

Understanding recycling dynamics for specific materials

The research aimed to comprehensively understand the context of various waste types, their recycling processes, and the companies providing related services. MOA Estrategia specifically directed our attention to the collection and recycling of cans, tetrapak, and glass, highlighting the shared importance of efficient collection and separation, coupled with thorough cleaning for subsequent reuse. This analysis offered a detailed overview of the essential steps for the recycling machine or system, along with identifying optimal storage conditions to maximize collection.

Research details

• MOA Strategy's specific focus on cans, tetrapak, and glass.
• Mapping of products predominantly consumed in each material category.
• Detailed recycling processes tailored to each material.
• Overview of companies currently offering recycling services for each material.
• Emphasis on the crucial role of effective collection and separation for optimal recycling.
• Clear delineation of key steps involved in recycling these materials.
• Identification of ideal storage conditions to enhance capacity and streamline collection.

Field Research

Urban waste landscape analysis: unveiling current practices and opportunities

To gain insights into the current situation in the city, we conducted observational visits to key locations, including busy areas such as shopping centers, schools, and private properties like residential neighborhoods. During this research phase, we systematically documented contextual information, including the location under evaluation, the time of the visit, and a brief summary of our observations. At each site, our evaluation criteria focused on identifying the presence of systems, products, or containers for waste separation, the types of categories used, and noteworthy observations related to people's behavior, spatial distribution, among other factors.

Findings

• Limited use of containers for separating waste into recyclable categories.
• Predominant practice involves using a single garbage can, leading to mixed waste.
• In some cases, waste is separated into organic and inorganic categories.

Noteworthy discovery

• Special containers in plazas and malls dedicated to collecting plastic lids.
• Lids donated for campaigns supporting individuals with cancer or vision problems.
• Observation of users actively participating in lid donation, indicating potential receptiveness to designated waste collection points.

Conclusion

• While initial insights suggest the existence of user groups willing to contribute to recycling efforts, further research and validation are required to refine these findings.

Benchmarking

In-depth review: features and limitations of current recycling systems

The benchmarking process was crucial to understanding the current landscape of similar machines or systems, providing insights into our competition, common elements among products, and areas for improvement.

Aspects considered

• General product description and operation.
• Technology details for waste separation, storage capacity, program usage, incentives, etc.
• User interaction methods, including touch screens, account creation, ID usage, and mobile applications.
• Types of materials accepted by the machine for storage.

Conclusions

• Many machines analyzed lack the capability to recycle tetrapak or glass due to the challenges of crushing and storing them.
• Existing solutions primarily focus on plastic bottle collection, aligning with the prevalent resource consumption in these areas.
• All systems incorporate at least one screen for user interaction, displaying instructions and providing incentives.
• Reward or loyalty programs are a common feature in all proposals, aimed at sustaining user commitment.
• The prevalent design is that of a rectangular box, featuring a prominent touch screen and customizable advertising.

User Interviews

Motivations and preferences: students and recycling habits

The team conducted interviews with eight Tec de Monterrey students to gain insights into their garbage separation habits both within and outside their homes. While the institution has a system in place using labeled containers, we aimed to understand how these practices extend to their personal spaces and whether they actively engage in recycling beyond institutional measures.

Objectives of the interview

• Garbage Separation at Home: Explore whether the students separate garbage at home and, if so, the specific categories they use.
• Challenges in the Process: Identify any difficulties or tedious aspects they encounter in the garbage separation process.
• Personal Motivations: Understand the personal reasons that drive their decision to either engage or not engage in household garbage separation.
• Preferred Waste Disposal Locations: Discover their preferences regarding establishments or locations where they find it convenient to dispose of their waste.
• Consumption Patterns: Gain insights into the types of products they consume the most, influencing their waste generation.
• Service Experiences: Explore any experiences they may have had with services related to garbage separation and recycling.

User Profiles

Understanding user diversity: insights from recycling habits

The information gathered from the interviews revealed the presence of three distinct user profiles. This insight provided us with a clearer understanding of potential users, their motivations, actions, and their history with garbage collection and separation.

Attentive users

• Ensure materials are clean and suitable for recycling.
• Take recyclable items to designated collection centers or special points.
• Intrinsic motivation to contribute to environmental care through consistent home-based actions.

Inexperienced users

• Do not engage in recycling due to a lack of knowledge about collection sites or residing in remote areas.
• Lack awareness of recyclable materials and their proper conditions.
• Potentially open to external motivation or incentives for waste separation.

Indifferent users

• Do not practice any form of waste recycling.
• Reasons include a lack of knowledge, absence of habit, perceived effort and time constraints, lack of interest, among other factors.
• External motivation is essential for waste separation, as they do not see inherent benefits.

Persona Map

Héctor's path to sustainability: unveiling needs, frustrations, and motivations

Meet Héctor Corona, a 40-year-old married IT manager who, despite the time-consuming nature of his job, strives to spend quality moments with his wife and children. Devoted to supporting his family and contributing to a more sustainable environment, Héctor engages in household tasks and seeks ways to create a greener future for his children. While not deeply versed in sustainability, he recognizes its importance.

Interests

• Technology: As a systems manager, Hector has a strong interest in technology and is open to innovative solutions that simplify his life and contribute to a more sustainable lifestyle.
• Quality time with family: Given his time constraints, he values any solution that allows him to enjoy quality moments with his wife and children.
• Sustainability: Although he acknowledges that his knowledge of sustainability is limited, he is interested in adopting more environmentally friendly practices and seeks ways to contribute to family sustainability.
• Collaboration in household tasks: He likes to actively participate in household tasks to support his partner and contribute to the smooth running of his home.
• Innovation: He is interested in innovative home solutions that make his life more efficient and comfortable.
• Personal development: He is interested in continuing to learn and growing as a person. This includes topics related to sustainability and family values.

Goals

• Work-family balance: Hector aims to find a balance between his demanding role as a systems manager and spending more quality time with his wife and children.
• Sustainable home: He wants to contribute to a more sustainable home by implementing practices and solutions that benefit the environment and the future of his children.
• Efficiency in household tasks: Hector seeks solutions that make household tasks more efficient, freeing up time to enjoy other activities.
• Family connection: His goal is to strengthen family bonds and create meaningful memories with his wife and children.

Motivations

• Family well-being: His family is his main motivation, seeking ways to improve the quality of life and well-being for everyone.
• Family sustainability: He wants to leave a positive impact on the environment for future generations, motivating him to adopt more sustainable practices.
• Work efficiency: Work efficiency motivates him, as he believes that freeing up time in the workplace will translate into more moments with his family.
• Collaboration with his partner: He wants to be an effective support in household responsibilities, actively collaborating with his wife to maintain a harmonious environment.

Needs

• Efficiency at work: Hector seeks solutions that allow him to be more efficient in his role as a systems manager to free up time and spend more quality moments with his family.
• Collaboration at home: He needs tools that facilitate his participation in household tasks, collaborating with his wife to maintain a harmonious family environment.
• Convenience in daily life: He looks for practical and convenient solutions that easily integrate into his daily routine without requiring additional effort.
• Commitment to sustainability: He wants to contribute to a more sustainable future and looks for ways to incorporate environmentally friendly practices into his daily life.

Influences

• Family: The family is a central influence on Hector's decisions and actions. He seeks ways to improve his family's life and create a positive environment for everyone.
• Professional growth: His role as a systems manager and his desire to grow as a professional influence his interest in finding technological and innovative solutions.
• Environmental awareness: Although his knowledge of sustainability is limited, society's growing environmental awareness is influencing his decisions toward more sustainable practices.
• Technological innovation: The influence of the technological world and his work in systems may make him open to innovative and technological solutions to improve his daily life and that of his family.

User Needs

Elevating recycling experience: user needs and improvement areas

The information gathered from field research, benchmarking, and interviews with potential users enabled us to compile a summary of the needs of individuals who would utilize these machines. This data played a crucial role in shaping a comprehensive profile of the final product, aligning with features and requirements established by the company.

Needs and areas for improvement:

• Containers with greater storage space or a system that compacts trash.
• The use of a credential as an account identifier, which may be forgotten or lost.
• The ability to dispose of waste without concerning oneself with labels or the original volume of the product.
• Enhanced user interaction beyond the digital screen displaying instructions.
• Unattractive designs, as they all resemble a rectangular box.
• Placement of collection points in popular areas such as parks and shopping malls.
• User freedom to decide what to do with earned points.
• Lack of clarity regarding the types of products the machine can receive.

Scenarios

Strategic placement proposals: optimizing recycling machine accessibility

The two proposed scenarios were developed to gain a clearer understanding of where users would encounter these recycling machines and the positive aspects associated with each location. These scenarios emerged from feedback provided by interviewees who expressed a preference for machines in subdivisions or high-traffic areas like parks and shopping malls.

Shopping centers

• Families frequent these centers weekly, providing a convenient opportunity to dispose of recyclable waste during their visits.

• Validation of points can occur within the same shopping center, eliminating the need for additional travel.

Residential subdivisions

• Proximity to home eliminates the need for extended travel, enabling users to easily walk to the recycling machines.
• Close proximity encourages regular disposal, reducing the accumulation of garbage inside households.

Conclusions

• Placement of machines in both scenarios would require obtaining permissions and establishing strategic alliances to offer benefits to users.
• For the current project stage, MOA Estrategia favored the Shopping Centers scenario, exploring potential benefits for stores or the cinema.

Requirements

Design requirements for recycling system

Product Expectations

Smart interaction and waste management system

Design Proposal

Efficient recycling process: technology at work

Customer Journey Map

Building loyalty in recycling initiatives

By gaining a comprehensive understanding of the machine's internal mechanisms, user interaction elements, and location points, we have crafted a user experience that guides individuals through each stage of the garbage recycling process. This tool has allowed us to pinpoint potential touchpoints, thoughts, feelings, and areas for improvement crucial for the design phase.

Awareness

• Initial exposure through mall and city street advertising.

• Potential questions arise: What is this machine, and how does it operate?
• Opportunities include enhancing attraction by highlighting rewards and leveraging social media for broader outreach.

Recycling process

• Initiate recycling by inserting trash, playing to multiply points, and scanning the code to save them.
• Interaction points include the recycling machine and the cellphone for app scanner usage.
• Providing feedback at each step ensures a stress-free and intuitive user experience.

Loyalty

• Users can exchange accumulated points for benefits within the app.
• Sole touchpoint: their cellphone, where they manage history, points, benefits, etc.
• Offering alternatives for first-time users and additional options for point utilization enhances project engagement.

Advocacy

• Users share experiences, encouraging others to join the project for environmental impact and benefits.
• Touchpoints: cellphone for social media engagement and interactions with acquaintances.
• Rewards program enhancements, like discounts or levels for recommendations, can attract a larger community.
• Growing the community allows for increased localization points and expanded benefit offerings through partnerships.

3D Model Machine Exploration

From requirements to realization: navigating shapes, colors, and finishes

With the list of requirements provided by the company and users, along with the internal technological elements essential for its operation, our team embarked on the exploration of the machine's design. This involved experimenting with various shapes, colors, finishes, and the arrangement of elements. The team meticulously considered different design aspects to ensure a comprehensive and aesthetically pleasing outcome.

Wireframes Machine Interface

Crafting user experiences: integrating physical and digital dimensions in machine design

While one segment of the team focused on the physical design of the machine, another segment handled the creation of instructions and the digital user experience via the touchscreen interface. Initial wireframes were crafted, outlining the messages to be displayed at each stage of the process to guide the user. Subsequently, these wireframes were tested in conjunction with the pretotype to thoroughly assess the overall user experience.

User Testing- Concept Validation

Evaluating machine functionality and visual appeal

To gather user feedback and assess the proposed concept, we conducted a two-stage test involving 10 potential users.

Test A

• Objective: To gauge the user's understanding of the machine's functionality and identify its constituent parts.

• Activity: Users will be presented with an image of the machine and asked to outline a series of actions or steps they believe are necessary for recycling their garbage correctly.

Test B

• Objective: To evaluate the aesthetic appeal of the machine and determine if it effectively communicates the desired aspects.
• Activity: Users will be shown the three finalist designs and asked to select from a provided list of adjectives those that they believe best describe each design.

Redesign

Enhancement checklist: refining design elements

Checklist

• Remove side lights.
• Alter the machine's color.
• Rearrange the screen position.
• Round the corners of the machine.
• Distinguish between the garbage inlet and outlet.
• Bring the machine game to the forefront.

Usability Testing

Enhancing prototype interaction and ergonomics

For this validation, we utilized a life-size cardboard model to assess the front casing of the prototype. The objective was to analyze user interaction and adjust element positions for optimal comfort. Users were provided with various types of garbage and instructed to place them in what they deemed the correct space. Subsequently, we evaluated the screen's position, ensuring it was easily reachable and provided comfortable viewing during interactions.

Design changes implemented based on validation

• We relocated the waste entry and return, initially positioned on the left side, to the right side.ectively communicates the desired aspects.
• The game component of the machine was also moved closer to the user for improved accessibility.
• Additionally, based on validation insights, we introduced a lever to initiate the game.

3D Models - Evolution

Iterative design progression: refinement for improved usability

Branding

Brand guidelines: establishing visual consistency and identity

To develop the advertising and design the applications, we compiled a brand manual encompassing fundamental elements including the logo, color palette, illustrations, and typography.

3D Model Components

Inside the machine: a closer look at 3D model components

Scale 1:3 Physical Prototype Process

Scale model construction: Botti's prototype overview

Botti's prototype was created at a 1:3 scale primarily using laser-cut MDF boards. These boards were utilized for external components such as the casing, the game interface, and the containers. Other elements were 3D printed based on the models. Following the fabrication of all parts, assemblies were constructed using a combination of glue, hinges, and screws. For the external design, 3D printing facilitated the creation of the curved surface where the cell phone would be inserted to display the application. Additionally, an acrylic sheet was employed to simulate the glass panel, which would showcase the game dynamics.

Functional Block Diagram

Automated waste sorting and processing system

Programming and Training

Programming the garbage detection and sorting process

• To effectively train the computer for product detection, photographs of the three materials were taken from various angles and perspectives.
• A webcam integrated into the Raspberry Pi is utilized to identify the type of garbage placed on the main platform. This information triggers a message to the Arduino, instructing it to execute the corresponding action for each material.
• In the event that the garbage is deemed unacceptable, the first servomotor controlling the platform activates, prompting the garbage's return through the lower door.
• If the garbage is identified as a can or Tetra Pak, the platform's servomotor allows the garbage to pass onto the conveyor belt, driven by a DC motor for transfer. During this process, a second servomotor engages, pushing the garbage towards its designated container, where it is subsequently crushed by a shaft driven by another DC motor.
• For glass materials, the aforementioned process is repeated, with the exception that no servomotor is activated for pushing. The garbage is solely transported by the belt until it reaches the end wall, where it then slides into its designated container.

High Fidelity Designs - Botti Interface

Detailed app interface designs

Para este diseño buscábamos crear una aplicación colorida para atraer la mirada de los usuarios a la pantalla, además de integrar elementos amigables y alegres como ilustraciones para acompañar la información.

High Fidelity Designs - Mobile App

Balancing functionality and brand aesthetics in app development

We utilized the brand's color palette and manual to ensure visual harmony and reinforce the product's identity with users. Drawing inspiration from applications for scanning and paying parking tickets, we structured the mobile application. Due to time constraints, this delivery focused on designing the main screens and implementing essential functionality to illustrate the process of registering points and tracking progress through rewards and history.

Modelo 3D - Render Details

Exploring the Botti model

In these images, you can observe the complete Botti model utilized in the prototype manufacturing process, encompassing both external elements and internal conveying, crushing, and storage systems.

Modelo 3D Animation

Demonstrative animation: communicating machine operation

This short animation was created using the model to illustrate the basic operation of the machine to the customer.

Physical Prototype

Prototype demonstration: operational features and touch screen interface display

These photographs showcase the final physical prototype in action, featuring the operational belt and crusher, along with the cell phone displaying the touch screen interface utilized in the scale model.