GreenTrash
A google User Experience Design Certification Project
Projects for Social Good
Fostering environmental change through design
The idea of an app
Innovation converging with social responsibility, the Waste Management App emerged as a catalyst for change. Initiated as a pivotal project for the Google UX Design course, this app was conceived to drive social good and tackle a pressing issue in the vibrant city of Jorhat, India.
The city and it's problem
Jorhat, nestled in the heart of Assam, India is a city witnessing remarkable growth and urbanization. With the proliferation of urban development, the city grapples with an escalating issue – the effective management of its mounting garbage.
Prevailing systems and challenges
The prevailing system, primarily reliant on the municipal authorities and supported by dedicated non-governmental organisations (NGOs), faced a daunting challenge.
Despite noble intentions, it was evident that this setup was inefficient, plagued by communication gaps between the end users and the NGOs, and riddled with various operational issues.
Roadside dump at Nirmal Charali - One of Jorhat's business location
Why a digital app?
Looking at the city's waste problem, 6 key problems were found.
3 of the 6 problems were problems which a smartphone app or a digital solution along with collaboration from the people can easily solve.
With these 3 problems, a MVP feature list was identified to prioritise the development on.
User Personas
John Singha
About - Why?
Rahul Singh
About - Why?
Affinity Mapping
The need for affinity mapping
Gives users the means to directly connect to NGO's.
Allow people to report roadside dumps reducing the agency's monitoring resource loads.
Lack of Human Resources -> Connect and leverage general public
Gives users the means to directly connect to NGO's.
Allow people to report roadside dumps reducing the agency's monitoring resource loads.
Low participation due to lack of awareness -> Incentivise and raise awareness
Implement awareness digital campaigns
Implement gamification features so that people are incentivised to use the app.
Way to MVP
Lack of Human Resources -> Connect and leverage general public
Gives users the means to directly connect to NGO's.
Allow people to report roadside dumps reducing the agency's monitoring resource loads.
Low participation due to lack of awareness -> Incentivise and raise awareness
Implement awareness digital campaigns
Implement gamification features so that people are incentivised to use the app.
Low waste collection fees -> Subscription plans for public to collect waste from doorstep
Implement Subscription charges, the agency's can collect waste from subscribers's doorsteps thus solving the issue of people having to dispose waste and raising funds in the process.
Feature Prioritisation
Subscription to a Trash Collection Agency
One of the major issue faced by some users was the inability to find a common place to drop the garbage or to have a community garbage.
Some residents that lived in flat / apartments didn't have space to place garbage bins.
India has a huge population and there are many people who are looking for jobs, training the below poverty line (BPL) people to collect garbage from door to door is not a hard step as it requires minimal training.
The revenue can easily be generated from the subscription fees paid by the users of the app. Additional revenue can be generated from recycling the waste material collected.
User Journey Map to subscribe to a trash collection agency
One of the major issue faced by some users was the inability to find a common place to drop the garbage or to have a community garbage.
Some residents that lived in flat / apartments didn't have space to place garbage bins.
India has a huge population and there are many people who are looking for jobs, training the below poverty line (BPL) people to collect garbage from door to door is not a hard step as it requires minimal training.
The revenue can easily be generated from the subscription fees paid by the users of the app. Additional revenue can be generated from recycling the waste material collected.
Reporting Roadside Dumps
Roadside dumps are a persistent issue, causing environmental pollution and detracting from the cleanliness and beauty of our communities. These dumps often go unnoticed and unreported, leading to prolonged periods before they are addressed by trash collection agencies or municipalities.
A new feature that allows users to snap a photo, geolocate the dump site, and send this information directly to the trash collection agency or municipality can effectively solve this problem. By enabling real-time reporting, this feature ensures that roadside dumps are quickly identified and addressed.
The geolocation data provides precise coordinates, making it easier for cleanup crews to locate and remove the waste promptly. This not only helps maintain cleaner streets but also empowers community members to actively participate in keeping their environment clean.
User Journey Map for Reporting a Roadside Dump
Gamification features and Leaderboards
One of the significant issues is that people often neglect to properly dispose of their trash due to laziness. This results in littering and improper waste management, which negatively impacts the environment and community health.
To address this, implementing gamification features such as titles, badges, and small shopping coupon rewards can be highly effective. These incentives motivate users by making the act of proper trash disposal more engaging and rewarding. By earning recognition and tangible rewards, users are encouraged to develop better habits and contribute to a cleaner, healthier environment.
Information Architecture
Lack of Human Resources -> Connect and leverage general public
Gives users the means to directly connect to NGO's.
Allow people to report roadside dumps reducing the agency's monitoring resource loads.
Low participation due to lack of awareness -> Incentivise and raise awareness
Implement awareness digital campaigns
Implement gamification features so that people are incentivised to use the app.
Low waste collection fees -> Subscription plans for public to collect waste from doorstep
Implement Subscription charges, the agency's can collect waste from subscribers's doorsteps thus solving the issue of people having to dispose waste and raising funds in the process.
UI Iterations
Lack of Human Resources -> Connect and leverage general public
Gives users the means to directly connect to NGO's.
Allow people to report roadside dumps reducing the agency's monitoring resource loads.
Low participation due to lack of awareness -> Incentivise and raise awareness
Implement awareness digital campaigns
Implement gamification features so that people are incentivised to use the app.
Low waste collection fees -> Subscription plans for public to collect waste from doorstep
Implement Subscription charges, the agency's can collect waste from subscribers's doorsteps thus solving the issue of people having to dispose waste and raising funds in the process.
