A presentation of my research on recycling practices and a visualization of different categories of packaging. Based on these, I proposed three directions or levels of solution spaces.

1. Rethinking Recycling
Incineration plant and recycling center by Jaroslav A. P

4. What they do right
Different colored bins with different shaped openings
Recycling bin next to cash register (so you can dispose extra
packaging there itself)
Social pressure
Upto 44 different recycling bins
Recycling practices - Japan
It might not work everywhere…
Recycling bags per household need to
be labelled so bad recyclers can be
prosecuted
Instructions for foreigners on
how to dispose of tetrapacks

5. What they do right
Clearly colored bins
Different shaped openings
Graphical representation on can
Instructions on top
Recycling practices - Singapore

6. What they do right
Clearly colored bins
Different shaped openings
Simple graphical representation
Packaging has clear recycling information
Social pressure
Waste bins play music
That’s why 1% of their trash goes into a
landfill and they need to import trash to
generate energy
Recycling practices - Sweden

7. Sweden
What they do right
Messaging
Graphics on top
Different shaped openings
Recycling practices – San Francisco

8. Identifying the problem
Inefficient categorization and instructions
Washing and drying is a barrier
People sort by item, not material (all plastic bottles are not the same plastic)
Co-mingled recycling
Composite materials in one material (tetrapack)
Confusion over sorting during disposal but single stream collection
It’s difficult to understand what the material is
Inefficient reprocessing
Finding a material for reprocessed materials

9. Exploring solutions
Based on my research, I could take three approaches to developing the final project
Creating a game that highlights the existing problems with recycling, specifically segregation and co-mingling.
As consumers, we have good intentions to recycle but the barrier to segregation is high – packaging isn’t labelled in a way that’s
easy to read, understand and take quick action.
Designing the shape, size, material of the disposal bag and bin and creating persuasive messaging at the point of disposal to
reduce barriers.
Some items are disposed more frequently than others so the bags can be smaller paper should be bundled, not thrown in a
plastic bag.
Finding a balance between over- and under- categorization of material within a broader system.
Categorizing households based on consumption habits to ensure ‘clean’ recycling
Currently there is no connection between buying the product,
consuming it and putting it in trash. Could Giant Eagle tell
you what your recycling priority should be based on your
purchases?Shruti Aditya Chowdhury
Fall 2015 // IXD Lab // Instructor – Kyuha Shim
School of Design // CMU