What is it about?
In this study, we explore how a mobile app could help reduce plastic waste in Indonesia, especially from disposable coffee cups. As coffee culture grows rapidly, more plastic cups are used and discarded, contributing to environmental pollution. We designed a simple app that encourages people to recycle by scanning their cups and nearby recycling bins using their phones. Users can earn points and rewards, making recycling more engaging and motivating. Our early testing with a paper version of the app showed that people found it easy to use and believed it could raise awareness about plastic waste. While the app is still being developed, we show that combining technology, rewards, and everyday habits can help build a stronger recycling culture in Indonesia.
Featured Image
Photo by Globelet Reusable on Unsplash
Why is it important?
We introduce a locally grounded mobile app concept for plastic cup recycling in Indonesia, where such solutions are largely absent despite urgent waste challenges. By linking everyday coffee habits with rewards and behavior change design, the work offers a timely, practical pathway to build recycling culture and inform future co-designed systems.
Perspectives
I see this work as an early step in connecting everyday habits with meaningful environmental action. It reflects my interest in design as a tool to shape behavior and highlights the importance of creating locally relevant solutions for real-world challenges.
Dr Juhri Selamet
Read the Original
This page is a summary of: A Design for Recycling: Developing a Mobile Application to Improve Recycling Behavior, The International Journal of Visual Design, January 2019, Common Ground Publishing,
DOI: 10.18848/2325-1581/cgp/v13i04/45-61.
You can read the full text:
Contributors
The following have contributed to this page
