Empowering Recycling and Local Businesses
EcoAveiro: A mobile solution that increased recycling motivation by connecting environmental action with local economic benefits.
Empowering Recycling and Local Businesses
EcoAveiro: A mobile solution that increased recycling motivation by connecting environmental action with local economic benefits.
Empowering Recycling and Local Businesses
EcoAveiro: A mobile solution that increased recycling motivation by connecting environmental action with local economic benefits.
The Challenge
Project Overview
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
Timeline
2 weeks
Tools
Figma, Figjam, Photoshop, Marvel App
Deliverables
15 app screens, usability testing with 9 participants, high-fidelity prototype
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 solution
App that connects the precise location of containers with a system of financial reward from local businesses.
The results
100% completion rate in usability tests and positive feedback from all 9 participants in the tested scenarios.
Results and Achievements
What EcoAveiro provides
▪️ 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.
▪️ Local Business Marketplace: Redeem points for discounts at neighborhood businesses.
▪️Community Engagement: Connect 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.
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
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 solution
App that connects the precise location of containers with a system of financial reward from local businesses.
The results
100% completion rate in usability tests and positive feedback from all 9 participants in the tested scenarios.
Key players in the project
Key players in the project
Understanding the stakeholders
Understanding the stakeholders
Precise Bin Locations: Find nearby recycling bins effortlessly using real-time mapping.
Precise Bin Locations: Find nearby recycling bins effortlessly using real-time mapping.
Municipality
Municipality
Sustainability Officer
Manages scarce resources, navigates community resistance to sustainable practices, and faces pressure for ambitious targets without adequate resources.
Manages scarce resources, navigates community resistance to sustainable practices, and faces pressure for ambitious targets without adequate resources.
Local Businesses
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.
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
Local Community
Resident of the Project Area
Struggles with time for recycling, lacks info on bin locations, and worries about the economic situation.
Struggles with time for recycling, lacks info on bin locations, and worries about the economic situation.
Key insight
Key insight
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.
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.
Results and Achievements
What EcoAveiro provides
▪️ 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.
▪️ Local Business Marketplace: Redeem points for discounts at neighborhood businesses.
▪️Community Engagement: Connect environmental action with local economic benefits.
Main hypothesis
Main hypothesis
"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."
"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."
Understand and Define
Research methodology
I combined secondary research for context and primary research to understand user behaviour, validate design decisions, and uncover opportunities for innovation in Portugal’s recycling landscape.
Primary research:
▪️ User interviews to understand recycling habits, motivations, and pain points.
▪️ Usability testing to validate flows, identify usability issues, and test if the solution really addresses user needs.
Secondary research:
▪️ Reports from Portuguese environmental organisations
▪️ Government strategy documents.
▪️ Competitive analysis of recycling and sustainability apps.
Findings
Desk research
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
55%
recycling target by 2025 is unlikely to be met, raising concerns about national sustainability goals.
- Zero Environmental Association
69%
of non-recyclers say incentives (monetary, fiscal, or vouchers) would motivate them to recycle.
- Sociedade Ponto Verde
Competitive analysis
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
Key insight
A unique opportunity to connect recycling with the local economy.
Results and Achievements
What EcoAveiro provides
▪️ 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.
▪️ Local Business Marketplace: Redeem points for discounts at neighborhood businesses.
▪️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.
Understand and Define
Research methodology
I combined secondary research for context and primary research to understand user behaviour, validate design decisions, and uncover opportunities for innovation in Portugal’s recycling landscape.
Primary research:
▪️ User interviews to understand recycling habits, motivations, and pain points.
▪️ Usability testing to validate flows, identify usability issues, and test if the solution really addresses user needs.
Secondary research:
▪️ Reports from Portuguese environmental organisations
▪️ Government strategy documents.
▪️ Competitive analysis of recycling and sustainability apps.
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.
Paper wireframes of the three flows
that were tested
Usability Test
Usability testing was conducted at the Department of Communication and Art, University of Aveiro, with 9 participants (5 women and 3 men), including teachers, students, and staff, aged 20-51, randomly selected.
This diverse selection ensured comprehensive feedback and insights into user preferences and needs.
Flows that have been tested
Task 1 - Search for the nearest recycling bin
Task 2 - Recycling simulation
Task 3 - Exchanging points for discounts
Findings
Desk research
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
55%
recycling target by 2025 is unlikely to be met, raising concerns about national sustainability goals.
- Zero Environmental Association
69%
of non-recyclers say incentives (monetary, fiscal, or vouchers) would motivate them to recycle.
- Sociedade Ponto Verde
Competitive analysis
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
Key insight
A unique opportunity to connect recycling with the local economy.
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.
Understand and Define
Research methodology
I combined secondary research for context and primary research to understand user behaviour, validate design decisions, and uncover opportunities for innovation in Portugal’s recycling landscape.
Primary research:
▪️ Usability testing to validate flows, identify usability issues, and test if the solution really addresses user needs.
Secondary research:
▪️ Reports from Portuguese environmental organisations
▪️ Government strategy documents.
▪️ Competitive analysis of recycling and sustainability apps.
Findings
Desk research
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
55%
recycling target by 2025 is unlikely to be met, raising concerns about national sustainability goals.
- Zero Environmental Association
69%
of non-recyclers say incentives (monetary, fiscal, or vouchers) would motivate them to recycle.
- Sociedade Ponto Verde
Competitive analysis
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
Key insight
A unique opportunity to connect recycling with the local economy.
Research Synthesis Deliverables
Research synthesis deliverables
CSD Table
I created a CSD (Certainties, Suppositions, Doubts) Matrix to map user perceptions, surface knowledge gaps, and guide research and design decisions.
Key insight
Recycling adoption is held back by lack of awareness and convenience, but people are willing to change their habits when motivated by simple tools and tangible rewards
Feature Prioritization Matrix
To evaluate which features would bring the most value with the least complexity, I used an Effort vs. Impact prioritisation matrix. This method allowed me to focus on features that maximise user and business benefits while keeping development realistic.
Key insight
High-impact, low-effort features shaped the MVP, ensuring early adoption and quick wins for users and stakeholders.
User Persona
To better understand EcoAveiro’s target users, I created personas that synthesise behavioural patterns, needs, and challenges. Fátima represents urban families who want to live more sustainably but face time constraints, lack of accessible recycling information, and financial pressures. This persona helped guide design decisions toward convenience, rewards, and education, ensuring the app responds directly to real user needs.
Key insight
Fátima will recycle more if the process is quick, clear, and rewarding, turning sustainability into a family-driven habit.
Empathy Map
To better understand EcoAveiro’s target users, I created personas that synthesise behavioural patterns, needs, and challenges. Fátima represents urban families who want to live more sustainably but face time constraints, lack of accessible recycling information, and financial pressures. This persona helped guide design decisions toward convenience, rewards, and education, ensuring the app responds directly to real user needs.
Key insight
Fátima will recycle more if the process is quick, clear, and rewarding, turning sustainability into a family-driven habit.
CSD Table
I created a CSD (Certainties, Suppositions, Doubts) Matrix to map user perceptions, surface knowledge gaps, and guide research and design decisions.
Key insight
Recycling adoption is held back by lack of awareness and convenience, but people are willing to change their habits when motivated by simple tools and tangible rewards
Feature Prioritization Matrix
To evaluate which features would bring the most value with the least complexity, I used an Effort vs. Impact prioritisation matrix. This method allowed me to focus on features that maximise user and business benefits while keeping development realistic.
Key insight
High-impact, low-effort features shaped the MVP, ensuring early adoption and quick wins for users and stakeholders.
User Persona
To better understand EcoAveiro’s target users, I created personas that synthesise behavioural patterns, needs, and challenges. Fátima represents urban families who want to live more sustainably but face time constraints, lack of accessible recycling information, and financial pressures. This persona helped guide design decisions toward convenience, rewards, and education, ensuring the app responds directly to real user needs.
Key insight
Fátima will recycle more if the process is quick, clear, and rewarding, turning sustainability into a family-driven habit.
Empathy Map
To better understand EcoAveiro’s target users, I created personas that synthesise behavioural patterns, needs, and challenges. Fátima represents urban families who want to live more sustainably but face time constraints, lack of accessible recycling information, and financial pressures. This persona helped guide design decisions toward convenience, rewards, and education, ensuring the app responds directly to real user needs.
Key insight
Fátima will recycle more if the process is quick, clear, and rewarding, turning sustainability into a family-driven habit.
CSD Table
I created a CSD (Certainties, Suppositions, Doubts) Matrix to map user perceptions, surface knowledge gaps, and guide research and design decisions.
Key insight
Recycling adoption is held back by lack of awareness and convenience, but people are willing to change their habits when motivated by simple tools and tangible rewards
Feature Prioritization Matrix
To evaluate which features would bring the most value with the least complexity, I used an Effort vs. Impact prioritisation matrix. This method allowed me to focus on features that maximise user and business benefits while keeping development realistic.
Key insight
High-impact, low-effort features shaped the MVP, ensuring early adoption and quick wins for users and stakeholders.
Flows that have been tested
Task 1 - Search for the nearest recycling bin
Task 2 - Recycling simulation
Task 3 - Exchanging points for discounts
Outcomes
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.
User Persona
To better understand EcoAveiro’s target users, I created personas that synthesize behavioural patterns, needs, and challenges. Fátima represents urban families who want to live more sustainably but face time constraints, lack of accessible recycling information, and financial pressures. This persona helped guide design decisions toward convenience, rewards, and education, ensuring the app responds directly to real user needs.
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 ©
Key insight
Fátima will recycle more if the process is quick, clear, and rewarding, turning sustainability into a family-driven habit.
Empathy Map
To better understand EcoAveiro’s target users, I created personas that synthesize behavioural patterns, needs, and challenges. Fátima represents urban families who want to live more sustainably but face time constraints, lack of accessible recycling information, and financial pressures. This persona helped guide design decisions toward convenience, rewards, and education, ensuring the app responds directly to real user needs.
Key insight
Fátima will recycle more if the process is quick, clear, and rewarding, turning sustainability into a family-driven habit.
Usability Test
Usability testing was conducted at the Department of Communication and Art, University of Aveiro, with 9 participants (5 women and 3 men), including teachers, students, and staff, aged 20-51, randomly selected.
This diverse selection ensured comprehensive feedback and insights into user preferences and needs.
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.
Paper wireframes of the three flows that were tested
Usability Test
Usability testing was conducted at the Department of Communication and Art, University of Aveiro, with 9 participants (5 women and 3 men), including teachers, students, and staff, aged 20-51, randomly selected.
This diverse selection ensured comprehensive feedback and insights into user preferences and needs.
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
Flows that have been tested
Task 1 - Search for the nearest recycling bin
Task 2 - Recycling simulation
Task 3 - Exchanging points for discounts
Designed & built with a smile by Patrícia Mesquita 😊
2025 ©
Outcomes
Outcomes
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 main flow
The main flow
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 authorised 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 authorised 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
The MVP
The MVP
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.
Learnings and Reflections
The MVP
Learning, Growing, and What Comes Next
Learning, Growing, and What Comes Next
Reflecting on what worked, what I’ve learned, and how these takeaways will guide my future projects.
Reflecting on what worked, what I’ve learned, and how these takeaways will guide my future projects.
💡 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.
▪️ 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.
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 ©