Developed a product from the ground up called ReUp - a recycling and up cycling iPhone app that allows users to find drop off locations in their area easily. Process included user research, creation of user personas, mental models, competitive analysis, information architecture (site map, wireframes, etc.), user testing and refinement.

1. ReUp
Shawn Murphy / User Experience Design II / Final Project / May 11, 2015
• Find Recycling Locations Easier! •

2. PROBLEM
The average American throws away 4.3 pounds of waste
per day which adds up to about 220 million tons of waste
generated each year.1
people often either don’t know what
is recyclable or where to recycle their items and end up
throwing them in the trash.
OUR VISION
To help combat this problem, the ReUp mobile app allows
users to find local recycling facilities and information while
on the go. The app’s goal is to reduce waste by providing
people on the run with localized recycling options, up cycling
locations and tips on how to reduce their waste.
Most people know they can recycle paper, plastic, glass and
aluminum items but other waste like batteries, light bulbs or
plastic shopping bags can also be recycled if done properly
to avoid the landfill. The app allows the user to search by item
to find local recycling/up-cycling facilities and will use Google
Maps API to help direct them while en route.
GOALS
Within the first year of operation the goal of the app is to
reach 75,000 downloads with a retention of 50,000 registered
active users. In addition, the app will measure success by
tracking the amount of recyclables each user checks in with
the hope of reaching 1 million interactions by the end of the
year.
Introduction
1
Duke University Center of Sustainability & Commerce.
http://center.sustainability.duke.edu/resources/green-facts-consumers/how-much-do-we-waste-daily. Accessed on April 12, 2015.

3. SURVEY SUMMARY
25 potential users surveyed via SurveyMonkey.
1. Do you or your family Recycle? Yes or No?
All 25 respondents said they recycle.
2. Why do you recycle?
The overall sentiment was that they recycled because they
have a duty to preserve the environment. One respondent
went into more detail stating
“We recycle because we want to do our part to ensure that
items are disposed of properly to cut down on landfill issues
and ensuring a greener planet for generations to come. Our
town also makes it really easy to do this.”
I found the last part insightful - the easier it is to recycle more
people would want to do it.
3. What types of items would you like to dispose of/
recycle but don’t know how?
Some of the information users are looking to dispose of/
recycle include: batteries, household items, technology,
plastic bags from the grocery store, light bulbs and
styrofoam.
4. How often do you recycle?
67% of respondents recycled all the time
29% of respondents recycled most of the time
4% of respondents recycled half the time
5. What characteristics do you look for when downloading
a mobile app?
The most common responses to this question were cost and
convenience. If the user found the app to fit into their life
then they were more inclined to use it regularly. Other users
pointed to the style and simplistic nature of the apps they use
regularly - they weren’t interested in additional features. Keep
it simple.
User Research

4. User Persona: Shannon
DEMOGRAPHICS:
• Gender: Female
• Ethnicity: Caucasian
• Age: 32
• Occupation: Mother / Photographer
• City: Madison, NJ
• Housing: Owns a home with husband
• Marital Status: Married, 2 kids under the age of 5
ATTITUDES TOWARDS TECHNOLOGY
Proficient with technology - she has grown up with it, has a
smart phone and laptop, keeps up to date with friends via
social media (mainly Facebook and Instagram) and email,
shops primarily online for household items, owns several digital
cameras for home business
PSYCHOGRAPHICS BEHAVIORS:
• Shannon’s main focus is her children ages 2 and 5
• When not shuffling her kids to activities she spends time on her
hobby/passion - photography
• For additional income she started a photography business to
help pay the bills
• Shannon wants to help prepare the world for her children but is
unsure how
• She uses a reusable water bottle to avoid additional waste and
even bought mini reusable water bottles for her children
• She often places orders for household items from Amazon
Prime and will recycle the boxes
• Her family recycles plastics/glass and paper every week
through curbside recycling but she wants to do more
• She stays up to date with technology and has several old
electronic gadgets (e.g. laptops, iPods, digital cameras, etc.)
that she’s unsure what to do with or how to dispose of
FEARS FRUSTRATIONS
• She’s afraid that her children are growing up too fast and she’s
not there enough for them since her photography business is
taking off
• Shannon is aware of the amount of trash her family generates
on a weekly basis but isn’t sure how to recycle more or dispose
of items properly
• Feels guilty she’s not doing enough to be green
• Would like guidance on the best ways to recycle items that
aren’t typically put out at the curb
NEEDS GOALS
• She wants to use technology to help her be a greener person
• She hopes to reduce her trash to one bag per week for her
family of four
• Would like a more fuel efficient car but can’t give up the SUV
she touts her kids around in
User Research (Continued)

5. User Persona: Fred
DEMOGRAPHICS:
• Gender: Male
• Ethnicity: Caucasian
• Age: 40
• Occupation: Restaurant owner in Center City
• City: Philadelphia, PA
• Housing: Owns a condo with wife
• Marital Status: Married
ATTITUDES TOWARDS TECHNOLOGY
Somewhat proficient with technology, he uses it mostly for work;
owns a smart phone and desktop computer; uses social media
to promote specials at his restaurant, post photos, etc. to gain
business
PSYCHOGRAPHICS BEHAVIORS:
• Fred spends most of his time at his restaurant and enjoys
interacting with people vs. through technology
• He takes his bike to work/will walk in inclement weather to save
gas and get exercise
• At home he has an organic garden in his tiny city-sized
backyard where he grows tomatoes and herbs
• Tries to save food scraps for composting but doesn’t have
enough space to do it correctly
• Fred and his wife try to be green at every turn they can but find
it difficult in the city
• With his business being a BYOB, on weekends especially he is
left with many bottles that he recycles - it costs more for him to
do this but he feels it’s his obligation to the environment
FEARS FRUSTRATIONS
• He is concerned with the amount of food waste created
from his restaurant and isn’t sure how to get rid of it in an
environmentally safe way
• Is concerned he’s being as environmentally friendly as possible
in his business ventures
• Would like to add solar panels to the top of his building but is
scared of the cost to install
• Needs to upgrade restaurant’s computer system but is unsure
where to dispose the old one
NEEDS GOALS
• Wants to use technology to be more green and track his
progress
• Would like more education about the city’s recycling and
progress being made
• Isn’t sure what other steps he can implement into his business
to make it more environmentally friendly
User Research (Continued)

6. User Persona: Julie
DEMOGRAPHICS:
• Gender: Female
• Ethnicity: African American
• Age: 23
• Occupation: Store clerk at small boutique in city
• City: Grand Rapids, MI
• Housing: Rents an apartment with three others
• Marital Status: Single
ATTITUDES TOWARDS TECHNOLOGY
Extremely proficient with technology, she uses her smart phone
and iPad the most as she’s often on the go; she has grown up
with technology and couldn’t imagine her life without it; Most
popular apps are Instagram SnapChat as well as Apple Maps
to help her find her way around
PSYCHOGRAPHICS BEHAVIORS:
• Julie works long hours at a small clothing boutique in Grand
Rapids
• She’d like to find a job in psychology, the field she studied in
college, but can’t find work
• She tries her best to be conscious of her recycling habits but
sometimes finds that it’s more trouble than it’s worth to collect,
sort and bring recycling to the dumpster
• She feels that recycling has become passé and isn’t as
effective as it was during her parent’s generation even though
she still wants to participate
• She is motivated to recycle when strapped for cash and will
often collect cans after parties to deposit and get cash back
• Has gotten lost driving to the recycling collection center -
doesn’t know where to take her cans to get cash back
• Looks for new apps/websites through friends’ suggestions
positive user recommendations
• She receives household item donation postcards from the
Red Cross and Big Brothers and Sisters but can’t participate
because she lives in an apartment building
FEARS FRUSTRATIONS
• She finds it difficult living with several people and wants to
move out
• Isn’t sure if she’s going to be able to pay her rent this month
• She wishes there was an easier way to recycle she could find
motivation to do it more often
• Is frustrated that she can’t leave home donation items at her
apartment
NEEDS GOALS
• Julie wants to improve her building’s recycle after seeing the
amount of waste only 15 tenants generate each week
• She is in need of a new phone but can’t afford it
• She would like to be motivated to recycle more and looks to
technology to help her make positive changes in her life (diet,
exercise, etc.)
User Research (Continued)

7. MENTALMODEL
User Research (Continued)

8. Competitive Analysis (Lo Fi)

9. Price
iRECYCLE
by Earth911.com
Free
iPhone, iPad, Android
USA
240 materials
(batteries, electronics, metal,
paint, automotive, etc.)
• Geo-locate recycling facilities
by product
• Facility contact information
• Driving directions to facility
• Tips about recycling specific
products (generic)
• Locate Greener Corners
recycling bins
• Take photos of recycling and
share to social media
• Check-in by scanning codes
with built-in QR reader
• User must create an account
to participate
• Track team or solo recycling
activity
• Set a recycling goal based on
cash you’d like to earn
• Quickly find recycling centers
nearby using GPS or ZIP
• Learn fun facts about
recycling
Basic materials
(paper, glass, plastic,
aluminum)
Aluminum only
USACO, NJ, NY, OH
Provides access to over
800,000 recycling and
disposal resources
User keeps track of what
they’re recycling in Greener
Corner’s recycling bins.
Earn cash by recycling
cans - keep track of your
recycling and set monetary
goals.
iPhone iPhone
Free Free
Greener Corners
by RecyclePal
Aluminate
by ALCOA
Platforms
Value Proposition
Region
Recyclables
Features
Competitive Analysis (Hi Fi)

10. Competitive Analysis Summary
While there are several recycling applications on the market that allow users to
find local recycling facilities there are some flaws with them which leads me to
believe that there’s still a market for this application.
Only one out of three recycling apps I compared was available on multiple
platforms including iPhone, iPad and Android. (iRecycle)
Most apps in this space are limited in their recycling information or focus
on one type of material to recycle like the Aluminate app which is only for
aluminum recycling. The iRecycle app was the only one that allowed users
to select different types of material like batteries, paint and hazardous
materials.
None of the apps have been updated in over 2 years.
Geo locating recycling facilities is used by all apps. Some use Google
maps while others use Apple Maps.
Greener Corners was the most limiting as its focus is on finding Greener
Corners bins in only 4 states.
None of the apps allowed users to add data like local recycling schedules,
materials accepted or donation services.
1
2
3
4
5
4

11. Information Architechture - Site Map
Home
0.00
Login
1.00
Menu
1.2.0
Recycleables
1.3.0
Register
2.00
Batteries
Profile
1.2.2
Automotive
1.3.1
1.3.2
1.3.3
1.3.4
1.3.5
1.3.6
1.3.7
1.3.8
1.3.9
Settings
1.2.1
Bottles
Linked Social Media
Accounts
1.2.3
Cans
Clothes
Electronics
Eye Glasses
Paper
Plastic
Search
1.1.0

12. Information Architechture - User Flow (Lo Fi)

13. Information Architechture - User Flow (Hi Fi)
Home
Register
Email Facebook Google+
Back
Confirmation
Share to
Social Media
Error Confirmation
No
Yes
Login?
Sign In
Bottles
Batteries
Automotive
Electronics
Clothes
Cans
Plastic Select a
Recycling
Location
Paper
Eyeglasses
Recycle an
item

14. Wireframes (Lo Fi)

15. Wireframes (Hi Fi)
ReUp
Logo/Icon
Locate recycling locations and help
the planet and your community.
or
User Name
Password
Sign In
Register
ATT 11:56 AM
User name and password required to login to app
ReUp Application Login Screen
1
1
Once a successful user name and password are
entered and the “Sign In” button is tapped the
user advances to the Recycleable list/menu
2
Clicking “Register” advances the user to the
Registration screen
3
3
2

16. Wireframes (Hi Fi)
Create a user name and password
below or login with your Facebook
or Google+ account.
User Name*
Password*
Confirm Password*
Email Address*
Register
Register with Facebook
Register with Google+
Back Register
or
ATT 11:56 AM
Back button will direct the user to the login screen
ReUp Registration
1
1
All fields are required. If not filled out user to
receive error message
2
2
Register with Facebook or Google+
credentials
3
3

17. Wireframes (Hi Fi)
Create a user name and password
below or login with your Facebook
or Google+ account.
User Name*
Password*
Confirm Password*
Email Address*
Register
Register with Facebook
Register with Google+
Back Register
or
Congratulations!
You’ve taken a step to making the
planet just a little bit greener.
Get started recycling now!
Login Share
ATT 11:56 AM
When user registers successfully the
“Congratulations” confirmation message
ReUp Registration Confirmation Message
1
1
Tapping the Login button brings the user to the
Login page
2
2
Share the Reup app to social media
(Facebook, Twitter, etc.)
3
Tap grey overlay background to return to page
and dismiss alert
4
4
3

18. Wireframes (Lo Fi)

19. Wireframes (Hi Fi)
ReUp
Auto Batteries Bottles
Cans Clothes Electronics
Eye Glasses Paper Plastic
ATT 11:56 AM
When tapped, flyout navigation menu will open
ReUp Recycleable Menu
1
1
When magnifying glass is tapped it opens a
search overlay
2
When recycleable item is selected user is
directed to map
3
3
User can swipe the recycling list left or right to
see more recycleable items
4
4
2

20. Wireframes (Lo Fi)

21. Wireframes (Hi Fi)
ReUp
Location name
1 Main St., Anytown, NJ .05 Miles1
Location name
1 Main St., Anytown, NJ .26 Miles2
Location name
1 Main St., Anytown, NJ .5 Miles3
1
2
3
Back Plastic ?
ATT 11:56 AM
Back button will direct the user to the recycleable
list menu
ReUp Map
1
The selected recycleable item will be highlighted
in this space above the map
2
“?” displays educational information like
plastic numbers accepted, pickup dates, etc.
3
User can pinch map screen to zoom4
User can select a location based on the menu
list or by selecting the pinpoint on the map.
User will be offered walking, driving or biking
directions based on their location and
selection.
5
Users location indicated by star icon6
6
4
1 2 3
5

22. Test Participants
The participants were both regular smart phone users and
avid recyclers. One participant was a account manager/
mother who regularly recycles. The other was a senior
copywriter who recycles at home but not at the office.
Test Purpose
To examine how people use the app to find recycling
locations close to them.
Each user was asked to complete four tasks:
1. Imagine you ate lunch in a park and want to recycle your
items instead of throwing them in the trash. You download
the ReUp app on your phone and register for an account.
2. The first item you want to recycle is your plastic water
bottle - how would you do this?
3. Locate the closest recycling facility to the park.
4. How would you locate other recyclables?
Observations Suggestions
OBSERVATION 1: Both users were able to register without a
problem but didn’t notice or give any thought to registering
with Facebook or Google+ despite the directions at the top
of the screen.
SUGGESTION: Give pathway options to user and let them
proceed as necessary instead of having the email form at
the top of the screen. Before moving forward with changes
test more to see if other users react differently or possibly
get rid of Facebook and Google+ options. Users feared the
app would post to their social media accounts without their
permission.
OBSERVATION 2: Both users located the plastic recyclables
icon without a problem. When asked how the user would
locate other recyclables they were divided - one said they
would swipe right to see more icons or use the search
functionality the other said she would initially go to the top
left menu.
SUGGESTION: Upon launch of the app a guided tour could
start that the user can swipe through so they understand the
main navigation elements easier.
OBSERVATION 3: Both users paused when locating the
closest recycling facility but eventually found the closest
location.
SUGGESTION: Include a identification mark on the map that
lets the user know where they are.
User Testing