Empowering Recycling and Local Businesses
Empowering Recycling and Local Businesses
Empowering Recycling and Local Businesses
EcoAveiro: A mobile solution that increased recycling motivation by connecting environmental action with local economic benefits.
EcoAveiro: A mobile solution that increased recycling motivation by connecting environmental action with local economic benefits.
EcoAveiro: A mobile solution that increased recycling motivation by connecting environmental action with local economic benefits.
Project Overview
The Challenge
With Portugal falling short of EU recycling targets - only 14% urban waste recycled vs. 60% goal by 2030 (Zero Environmental Association & Eco) - there was a clear need for innovative solutions that address both environmental and economic challenges simultaneously.
In response to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11 Challenge: "Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable by 2030", I was tasked with addressing the urban environmental impact in Portuguese cities by tackling inefficiencies in waste management through innovative design solutions.
The Problem
60% of Portuguese residents don't recycle because bins are too far away (Sociedade Ponto Verde), while local businesses struggle with declining sales amid economic uncertainty.
My Role
UX/UI Designer: Research, wireframing, prototyping, and final visual design
Timeline
2 weeks
Tools
Figma, Figjam, Photoshop, Marvel App
Deliverables
15 app screens, usability testing with 9 participants, high-fidelity prototype
Focus
Community interface design (part of multi-stakeholder ecosystem)
Project Goals
Rewarding and encouraging sustainable user behavior.
Raising environmental awareness by educating users on sustainable practices and the benefits of recycling.
Improving the efficiency of the urban waste management system.
Boosting local sales and the economy, directly benefiting both local businesses and the community.
Promoting long-term sustainable behavior change among the users.
Project Overview
The Problem
60% of Portuguese residents don't recycle because bins are too far away (Sociedade Ponto Verde), while local businesses struggle with declining sales amid economic uncertainty.
The Challenge
With Portugal falling short of EU recycling targets - only 14% urban waste recycled vs. 60% goal by 2030 (Zero Environmental Association & Eco) - there was a clear need for innovative solutions that address both environmental and economic challenges simultaneously.
In response to the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal 11 Challenge: "Make cities inclusive, safe, resilient, and sustainable by 2030", I was tasked with addressing the urban environmental impact in Portuguese cities by tackling inefficiencies in waste management through innovative design solutions.
My Role
UX/UI Designer: Research, wireframing, prototyping, and final visual design
UX/UI Designer: Research, wireframing, prototyping, and final visual design
Timeline
2 weeks
2 weeks
Tools
Figma, Figjam, Photoshop, Marvel App
Figma, Figjam, Photoshop, Marvel App
Deliverables
15 app screens, usability testing with 9 participants, high-fidelity prototype
15 app screens, usability testing with 9 participants, high-fidelity prototype
Focus
Community interface design (part of multi-stakeholder ecosystem)
Community interface design (part of multi-stakeholder ecosystem)
Project Goals
Rewarding and encouraging sustainable user behavior.
Raising environmental awareness by educating users on sustainable practices and the benefits of recycling.
Rewarding and encouraging sustainable user behavior.
Raising environmental awareness by educating users on sustainable practices and the benefits of recycling.
Improving the efficiency of the urban waste management system.
Boosting local sales and the economy, directly benefiting both local businesses and the community.
Promoting long-term sustainable behavior change among the users.
Hypotheses
Hypotheses
"If we combine precise bin location services with immediate economic rewards from local businesses, residents will significantly increase their recycling participation while supporting their local economy."
"If we combine precise bin location services with immediate economic rewards from local businesses, residents will significantly increase their recycling participation while supporting their local economy."
Results and Achievements
Results and Achievements
What EcoAveiro Provides:
What EcoAveiro Provides:
✔️ Precise Bin Locations: Find nearby recycling bins effortlessly using real-time mapping.
✔️ Precise Bin Locations: Find nearby recycling bins effortlessly using real-time mapping.
✔️ Reward System: Earn points for each waste disposal action through PAYT technology integration.
✔️ Reward System: Earn points for each waste disposal action through PAYT technology integration.
✔️ Local Business Marketplace: Redeem points for discounts at neighborhood businesses.
✔️ Local Business Marketplace: Redeem points for discounts at neighborhood businesses.
✔️ Community Engagement: Connect environmental action with local economic benefits.
✔️ Community Engagement: Connect environmental action with local economic benefits.
📈 Impact
▪️ 100% task completion rate across all usability scenarios.
▪️ Positive user sentiment toward reward-based recycling approach.
▪️ Addresses government priorities for increased recycling rates.
▪️ Creates new revenue streams for local businesses.
Flow - Map and Location Functionality
Finding nearby recycling locations
Flow - Recycling
Performing a recycling simulation
Flow - Exchanging Points
Examining the rewards section and observing the discounts that are offered by local businesses
📈 Impact
▪️ 100% task completion rate across all usability scenarios.
▪️ Positive user sentiment toward reward-based recycling approach.
▪️ Addresses government priorities for increased recycling rates.
▪️ Creates new revenue streams for local businesses.
Understanding the Stakeholders
Key Players in the Project: Summary
Municipality
Sustainability Officer
Manages scarce resources, navigates community resistance to sustainable practices, and faces pressure for ambitious targets without adequate resources.
Local Businesses
Shop Owner
Frustrated by declining sales and the devaluation of local commerce tradition amid economic crisis and changing consumer habits, impacting his store's financial stability.
Local Community
Resident of the Project Area
Struggles with time for recycling, lacks info on bin locations, and worries about the economic situation.
Project Focus: Design for the Local Community
Key Players in the Project: Summary
The App offers tailored interfaces for municipalities, local businesses, and the community, each accessing specific data and functions. This project focuses on the interface for the local community, emphasising sustainability-aligned features for a user-friendly experience.
CSD Matrix
Following the research phase, I developed a CSD Matrix (Certainties, Doubts, and Suppositions) to synthesise the findings. This framework helped clarify what was already validated, what required further investigation, and what assumptions could guide the next steps in the design process.
Persona
Empathy Map
Competitive Analysis
To understand EcoAveiro's market positioning and identify strategic opportunities, I conducted a comprehensive analysis of three key competitors in the waste management and recycling app space: Trash4Goods, WasteApp, and Acerta e Recicla.
Competitors Overview
Trash4Goods
Focus: Gamified rewards system
Market: International
✅ Points and marketplace rewards
✅ Location-based recycling finder
✅ Community events
❌ Educational content
❌ Impact tracking
WasteApp
Focus: Educational & location-based
Market: Portugal
✅ Strong recycling location mapping
✅ Barcode scanning
✅ Educational content
❌ Rewards system
❌Impact tracking
Acerta & Recicla
Focus: Quiz-based gaming
Market: Portugal
✅ Quiz-based learning
✅ Points for prizes
⚠️ Limited reward variety
❌ Map features
❌ Impact tracking
Feature Comparison
Minimum Viable Product - MVP
To efficiently validate EcoAveiro's market potential within the project timeframe, I strategically selected and prioritized fundamental features that would demonstrate the app's core value proposition while enabling meaningful user testing and iterative feedback.
Understand and Define
Understand and Define
Research
Research
I conducted comprehensive secondary research using reports from Portuguese environmental organisations, national publications, and government strategic documents to understand the landscape within the project timeframe.
I conducted comprehensive secondary research using reports from Portuguese environmental organisations, national publications, and government strategic documents to understand the landscape within the project timeframe.
Findings
90% of Portuguese people see the circular economy as a form of savings.
- Oney Bank European Barometer
14% of of the Portuguese population still doesn't have recycling habits.
- Sociedade Ponto Verde's "Recycling Radar" study
60% of Portuguese non-recyclers cite distance to recycling bins as the main barrier.
- Sociedade Ponto Verde's "Recycling Radar" study
89% of the population is more concerned about environmental problems today than 10 years ago.
- Marktest
69% of non-recyclers say incentives (monetary, fiscal, or vouchers) would motivate them to recycle.
- Sociedade Ponto Verde
13% is the actual percentage of packaging that Portugal recycles from what it puts on the market.
- Eco
21% recycling rate in Portugal has remained unchanged since before the pandemic, highlighting a lack of progress.
- Zero Environmental Association
55% recycling target by 2025 is unlikely to be met, raising concerns about national sustainability goals.
- Zero Environmental Association
60% recycling goal by 2030, set in the government’s PERSU plan, is considered difficult to achieve.
- Eco
Findings
90% of Portuguese people see the circular economy as a form of savings.
- Oney Bank European Barometer
14% of of the Portuguese population still doesn't have recycling habits.
- Sociedade Ponto Verde's "Recycling Radar" study
60% of Portuguese non-recyclers cite distance to recycling bins as the main barrier.
- Sociedade Ponto Verde's "Recycling Radar" study
89% of the population is more concerned about environmental problems today than 10 years ago.
- Marktest
69% of non-recyclers say incentives (monetary, fiscal, or vouchers) would motivate them to recycle.
- Sociedade Ponto Verde
13% is the actual percentage of packaging that Portugal recycles from what it puts on the market.
- Eco
21% recycling rate in Portugal has remained unchanged since before the pandemic, highlighting a lack of progress.
- Zero Environmental Association
55% recycling target by 2025 is unlikely to be met, raising concerns about national sustainability goals.
- Zero Environmental Association
60% recycling goal by 2030, set in the government’s PERSU plan, is considered difficult to achieve.
- Eco
90%
of Portuguese people see the circular economy as a form of savings.
- Oney Bank European Barometer
14%
of the Portuguese population still doesn't have recycling habits.
- Sociedade Ponto Verde's "Recycling Radar" study
60%
of Portuguese non-recyclers cite distance to recycling bins as the main barrier.
- Sociedade Ponto Verde's "Recycling Radar" study
89%
of the population is more concerned about environmental problems today than 10 years ago.
- Marktest
69%
of non-recyclers say incentives (monetary, fiscal, or vouchers) would motivate them to recycle.
- Sociedade Ponto Verde
13%
is the actual percentage of packaging that Portugal recycles from what it puts on the market.
- Eco
21%
recycling rate in Portugal has remained unchanged since before the pandemic, highlighting a lack of progress.
- Zero Environmental Association
55%
recycling target by 2025 is unlikely to be met, raising concerns about national sustainability goals.
- Zero Environmental Association
60%
recycling goal by 2030, set in the government’s PERSU plan, is considered difficult to achieve.
- Eco
Usability Test
The testing methodology involved moderated in-person sessions where participants interacted with EcoAveiro prototypes while I observed their behaviour, asked targeted questions about the recycling app experience, and collected qualitative feedback to inform iterative improvements.
Location
Usability testing was conducted at the Department of Communication and Art, University of Aveiro, with a diverse group of participants including teachers, students, and staff.
Participants
A total of 9 participants (5 women, 3 men) aged 20-51 were randomly selected. This diverse selection ensured comprehensive feedback and insights into user preferences
and needs.
Exploring EcoAveiro App Functionalities
🌱 Scenario Overview
Imagine you've heard about an app, which offers an innovative way to encourage recycling and earn points to exchange for discounts at local businesses.
❓ Key Questions
Expectations: What features do you anticipate finding in this app?
Prioritization: Among the features mentioned, what do you consider the most important?
Usability Evaluation Tasks
1 - Search for the nearest recycling bin
Scenario: Imagine you're standing outside your house with your garbage bags and you want to find the nearest recycling bin.
Challenge: Using the app, how would you proceed to find the nearest recycling bin?
2 - Recycling simulation
Scenario: Now that you've found the recycling bin nearest to you, imagine that you're standing in front of the recycling bin.
Challenge: Using the APP, perform your first recycling simulation by depositing an item in the recycling bin.
3 - Exchanging points for discounts
Scenario: After having earned some points with your first recycling simulation, you want to enjoy the discounts at local businesses.
Challenge: Using the APP, explore the rewards section and view the discounts available at local businesses. Then select a local business to use your points.
Findings
Following the completion of the usability test consisting of three tasks, participants were asked two key questions to gather qualitative feedback:
▪️ How did you feel about using the APP?
▪️ Of everything you saw, what did you like best?
All data collected from both the task performance observations and the post-test questions were systematically analysed using thematic clustering to identify common patterns and themes in user experiences, behaviours, and perceptions.
Ideation and Wireframing
Wireframes and Low Fidelity Prototype
Initial wireframes were sketched to establish EcoAveiro's information architecture and user flow, then digitized into a low-fidelity interactive prototype using Marvel App. This iterative design approach facilitated rapid user testing and interface optimization based on usability feedback.
Flow - Map and Location Functionality
Finding nearby recycling locations
Flow - Recycling
Performing a recycling simulation
Flow - Exchanging Points
Examining the rewards section and observing the discounts that are offered by local businesses
Understanding the Stakeholders
Key Players in the Project: Summary
Municipality
Sustainability Officer
Manages scarce resources, navigates community resistance to sustainable practices, and faces pressure for ambitious targets without adequate resources.
Local Businesses
Shop Owner
Frustrated by declining sales and the devaluation of local commerce tradition amid economic crisis and changing consumer habits, impacting his store's financial stability.
Local Community
Resident of the Project Area
Struggles with time for recycling, lacks info on bin locations, and worries about the economic situation.
Project Focus: Design for the Local Community
Key Players in the Project: Summary
The App offers tailored interfaces for municipalities, local businesses, and the community, each accessing specific data and functions. This project focuses on the interface for the local community, emphasising sustainability-aligned features for a user-friendly experience.
CSD Matrix
Following the research phase, I developed a CSD Matrix (Certainties, Doubts, and Suppositions) to synthesise the findings. This framework helped clarify what was already validated, what required further investigation, and what assumptions could guide the next steps in the design process.
Following the research phase, I developed a CSD Matrix (Certainties, Doubts, and Suppositions) to synthesise the findings. This framework helped clarify what was already validated, what required further investigation, and what assumptions could guide the next steps in the design process.
Persona
Understanding the Stakeholders
Key Players in the Project: Summary
Municipality
Sustainability Officer
Manages scarce resources, navigates community resistance to sustainable practices, and faces pressure for ambitious targets without adequate resources.
Local Businesses
Shop Owner
Frustrated by declining sales and the devaluation of local commerce tradition amid economic crisis and changing consumer habits, impacting his store's financial stability.
Local Community
Resident of the Project Area
Struggles with time for recycling, lacks info on bin locations, and worries about the economic situation.
Project Focus: Design for the Local Community
The App offers tailored interfaces for municipalities, local businesses, and the community, each accessing specific data and functions. This project focuses on the interface for the local community, emphasising sustainability-aligned features for a user-friendly experience.
Persona
Empathy Map
Feature Comparison
Minimum Viable Product - MVP
To efficiently validate EcoAveiro's market potential within the project timeframe, I strategically selected and prioritized fundamental features that would demonstrate the app's core value proposition while enabling meaningful user testing and iterative feedback.
Competitive Analysis
To understand EcoAveiro's market positioning and identify strategic opportunities, I conducted a comprehensive analysis of three key competitors in the waste management and recycling app space: Trash4Goods, WasteApp, and Acerta e Recicla.
Competitors Overview
Trash4Goods
Focus: Gamified rewards system
Market: International
✅ Points and marketplace rewards
✅ Location-based recycling finder
✅ Community events
❌ Educational content
❌ Impact tracking
WasteApp
Focus: Educational & location-based
Market: Portugal
✅ Strong recycling location mapping
✅ Barcode scanning
✅ Educational content
❌ Rewards system
❌Impact tracking
Acerta & Recicla
Focus: Quiz-based gaming
Market: Portugal
✅ Quiz-based learning
✅ Points for prizes
⚠️ Limited reward variety
❌ Map features
❌ Impact tracking
Feature Comparison
Minimum Viable Product - MVP
To efficiently validate EcoAveiro's market potential within the project timeframe, I strategically selected and prioritized fundamental features that would demonstrate the app's core value proposition while enabling meaningful user testing and iterative feedback.
Ideation and Wireframing
Wireframes and Low Fidelity Prototype
Initial wireframes were sketched to establish EcoAveiro's information architecture and user flow, then digitized into a low-fidelity interactive prototype using Marvel App. This iterative design approach facilitated rapid user testing and interface optimization based on usability feedback.
Usability Test
The testing methodology involved moderated in-person sessions where participants interacted with EcoAveiro prototypes while I observed their behaviour, asked targeted questions about the recycling app experience, and collected qualitative feedback to inform iterative improvements.
Location
Usability testing was conducted at the Department of Communication and Art, University of Aveiro, with a diverse group of participants including teachers, students, and staff.
Participants
A total of 9 participants (5 women, 3 men) aged 20-51 were randomly selected. This diverse selection ensured comprehensive feedback and insights into user preferences and needs.
Exploring EcoAveiro App Functionalities
🌱 Scenario Overview
Imagine you've heard about an app, which offers an innovative way to encourage recycling and earn points to exchange for discounts at local businesses.
❓ Key Questions
Expectations: What features do you anticipate finding in this app?
Prioritization: Among the features mentioned, what do you consider the most important?
Usability Evaluation Tasks
Task 1 - Search for the nearest recycling bin
Scenario: Imagine you're standing outside your house with your garbage bags and you want to find the nearest recycling bin. Challenge: Using the app, how would you proceed to find the nearest recycling bin?
Task 2 - Recycling simulation
Scenario: Now that you've found the recycling bin nearest to you, imagine that you're standing in front of the recycling bin. Challenge: Using the APP, perform your first recycling simulation by depositing an item in the recycling bin.
Task 3 - Exchanging points for discounts
Scenario: After having earned some points with your first recycling simulation, you want to enjoy the discounts at local businesses. Challenge: Using the APP, explore the rewards section and view the discounts available at local businesses. Then select a local business to use your points.
Task 1 - Search for the nearest recycling bin
Scenario: Imagine you're standing outside your house with your garbage bags and you want to find the nearest recycling bin. Challenge: Using the app, how would you proceed to find the nearest recycling bin?
Task 2 - Recycling simulation
Scenario: Now that you've found the recycling bin nearest to you, imagine that you're standing in front of the recycling bin. Challenge: Using the APP, perform your first recycling simulation by depositing an item in the recycling bin.
Task 3 - Exchanging points for discounts
Scenario: After having earned some points with your first recycling simulation, you want to enjoy the discounts at local businesses. Challenge: Using the APP, explore the rewards section and view the discounts available at local businesses. Then select a local business to use your points.
Flow - Map and Location Functionality
Finding nearby recycling locations
Flow - Recycling
Performing a recycling simulation
Flow - Exchanging Points
Examining the rewards section and observing the discounts that are offered by local businesses
Usability Test
The testing methodology involved moderated in-person sessions where participants interacted with EcoAveiro prototypes while I observed their behaviour, asked targeted questions about the recycling app experience, and collected qualitative feedback to inform iterative improvements.
Location
Usability testing was conducted at the Department of Communication and Art, University of Aveiro, with a diverse group of participants including teachers, students, and staff.
Participants
A total of 9 participants (5 women, 3 men) aged 20-51 were randomly selected. This diverse selection ensured comprehensive feedback and insights into user preferences and needs.
Exploring EcoAveiro App Functionalities
🌱 Scenario Overview
Imagine you've heard about an app, which offers an innovative way to encourage recycling and earn points to exchange for discounts at local businesses.
❓ Key Questions
Expectations: What functionalities do you anticipate finding in this type of application?
Prioritization: Among the features you've identified, which do you consider most critical for user adoption?
Usability Evaluation Tasks
Task 1 - Search for the nearest recycling bin
Scenario: Imagine you're standing outside your house with your garbage bags and you want to find the nearest recycling bin. Challenge: Using the app, how would you proceed to find the nearest recycling bin?
Task 2 - Recycling simulation
Scenario: Now that you've found the recycling bin nearest to you, imagine that you're standing in front of the recycling bin. Challenge: Using the APP, perform your first recycling simulation by depositing an item in the recycling bin.
Task 3 - Exchanging points for discounts
Scenario: After having earned some points with your first recycling simulation, you want to enjoy the discounts at local businesses. Challenge: Using the APP, explore the rewards section and view the discounts available at local businesses. Then select a local business to use your points.
Findings
Following the completion of the usability test consisting of three tasks, participants were asked two key questions to gather qualitative feedback:
▪️ How did you feel about using the APP?
▪️ Of everything you saw, what did you like best?
All data collected from both the task performance observations and the post-test questions were systematically analysed using thematic clustering to identify common patterns and themes in user experiences, behaviours, and perceptions.
The "Recycle" feature was intuitive and easy to find.
It was easy to find the recycling stations.
The process of depositing waste is easy.
It was easy to use the "Map" feature to find the nearest recycling bin.
I find the "points exchange" feature / task intuitive.
Didn't find the tasks complicated.
Positive Experience
Thinks there could be more incentives for the community, as already happens in other cities in Portugal.
Don't recycle because they spend time away from home and don't have "control" over their family's waste management.
You don't feel very motivated to recycle because the recycling bins aren't that close to home.
Considers recycling important but doesn't recycle because nobody ever encouraged it or took the initiative.
They don't usually recycle because the containers take up too much space at home.
Started sorting waste because of the influence of housemates.
Recycling Habits
Would like to receive information about the consequences of not recycling (how it affects the environment).
"I'd like to randomly receive tips or interesting facts about recycling".
Would like to receive information about local actions for the environment, such as solidarity races, waste collection, etc.
Would like to receive an "award" with every deposit.
"It would be nice if I could receive a notification whenever I had a new local partner or new discounts".
There should be some kind of "Help" to find out what can and cannot be deposited in the recycling bins.
“Regarding the destination of the waste to be recycled, I would like the app to provide information on what they are going to do with it”.
Needs
Expect to be able to consult the history of waste deposits/points.
Want to see the points earned for each recycling procedure performed.
Want to easily consult the places available for the exchange of points in local commerce.
Hope to be able to see where you can use your points (by sections or categories).
Expect to receive information on where to dispose of other types of waste (light bulbs, medicines, etc.).
Expectations
As things are so expensive, I like the idea of getting discounts in local shops and saving money.
Difficulty differentiating between "Recycling Points" and "My Points".
I like the feeling of knowing that I'm doing something good for the environment, of contributing in some way.
They're curious to know how the waste deposited in the recycling container is validated in the App.
Emotions / Feelings
Waste Validation System
Waste Validation System
The EcoAveiro app validates waste deposits through an integrated Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) system. Smart recycling containers restrict access to authorized users who authenticate via the app.
The EcoAveiro app validates waste deposits through an integrated Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) system. Smart recycling containers restrict access to authorized users who authenticate via the app.
Each container features built-in weighing technology that automatically measures deposited waste, calculates charges, and records all data within the app for accurate billing and environmental tracking.
Each container features built-in weighing technology that automatically measures deposited waste, calculates charges, and records all data within the app for accurate billing and environmental tracking.
The Main Flow - Recycling
The Main Flow - Recycling
Design Refinement and Final Screens
Design Refinement and Final Screens
The final app screens were developed through an iterative design process based on user feedback and testing.
The final app screens were developed through an iterative design process based on user feedback and testing.
Let's Connect
I believe great things often start with a simple hello. Feel free to reach out, I’d love to hear from you.
hello@patriciamesquita.me
Designed & built with a smile by
Patrícia Mesquita 😊
2025 ©
Designed & built with a smile by
Patrícia Mesquita 😊
2025 ©
Learning and Reflections
Learning and Reflections
💡 Key Takeaways
💡 Key Takeaways
▪️ Strategic Problem-Solving: Successfully connected environmental sustainability with economic incentives, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders.
▪️ Strategic Problem-Solving: Successfully connected environmental sustainability with economic incentives, creating a self-sustaining ecosystem that benefits all stakeholders.
▪️ Constraint-Driven Design: Proved that tight deadlines (2 weeks) can lead to focused, impactful solutions when properly scoped and researched.
▪️ Constraint-Driven Design: Proved that tight deadlines (2 weeks) can lead to focused, impactful solutions when properly scoped and researched.
▪️ Multi-Stakeholder Innovation: Transformed a civic responsibility into an engaging experience by addressing the root cause (60% don't recycle due to bin accessibility) rather than just symptoms.
▪️ Multi-Stakeholder Innovation: Transformed a civic responsibility into an engaging experience by addressing the root cause (60% don't recycle due to bin accessibility) rather than just symptoms.
✅ Achievements
✅ Achievements
✔️ Rapid Design: Delivered 15 high-fidelity screens, 9 user interviews, and 3 stakeholder analyses in 2 weeks.
✔️ Rapid Design: Delivered 15 high-fidelity screens, 9 user interviews, and 3 stakeholder analyses in 2 weeks.
✔️ User Validation Success: Achieved positive feedback across all core tasks through comprehensive usability testing.
✔️ User Validation Success: Achieved positive feedback across all core tasks through comprehensive usability testing.
✔️ Systematic Impact: Created a scalable solution addressing UN SDG 11 and Portugal's 60% recycling target by 2030, while boosting local economy.
✔️ Systematic Impact: Created a scalable solution addressing UN SDG 11 and Portugal's 60% recycling target by 2030, while boosting local economy.
🚀 Next Steps
🚀 Next Steps
▪️ Advanced Mapping: Add real-time bin capacity indicators, route optimization for multiple recycling trips, and AR bin identification.
▪️ Advanced Mapping: Add real-time bin capacity indicators, route optimization for multiple recycling trips, and AR bin identification.
▪️ User Onboarding: Develop interactive tutorial screens explaining the PAYT system and gamification mechanics.
▪️ User Onboarding: Develop interactive tutorial screens explaining the PAYT system and gamification mechanics.
▪️ Offline Functionality: Add offline mode for bin location access when users have limited connectivity.
▪️ Offline Functionality: Add offline mode for bin location access when users have limited connectivity.
▪️ Social Features: Implement community leaderboards, friend challenges, and recycling achievement sharing.
▪️ Social Features: Implement community leaderboards, friend challenges, and recycling achievement sharing.
▪️ Expanded Waste Categories: Support for electronic waste, hazardous materials, and composting with specialized collection points.
▪️ Expanded Waste Categories: Support for electronic waste, hazardous materials, and composting with specialized collection points.
▪️ Accessibility Improvements: Add larger text options, voice guidance, and simplified interface modes for elderly users.
▪️ Accessibility Improvements: Add larger text options, voice guidance, and simplified interface modes for elderly users.
▪️ Micro-interactions: Add satisfying animations for successful recycling actions and reward redemptions.
▪️ Micro-interactions: Add satisfying animations for successful recycling actions and reward redemptions.
▪️ Error Prevention: Implement better validation for recycling simulations and clearer error messages.
▪️ Error Prevention: Implement better validation for recycling simulations and clearer error messages.
Let's Connect
I believe great things often start with a simple hello. Feel free to reach out, I’d love to hear from you.
hello@patriciamesquita.me
Let's Connect
I believe great things often start with a simple hello. Feel free to reach out, I’d love to hear from you.
hello@patriciamesquita.me
Designed & built with a smile by Patrícia Mesquita 😊
2025 ©