RecyclAR

MobileAR promoting purchase of sustainably packaged grocery items

Read-Time: 5 Minutes

Context

RecyclAR is an iOS application that allows shoppers to instantly evaluate the sustainability of grocery product packaging. This case study will primarily explore the application's functionality and its impact on environmentally conscious shopping behaviors.

PRODUCT NEED

268 million tonnes

of plastic packaging is wasted every year

$165 billion

in economic value is discarded yearly

45%

landfill waste is just packaging containers

Despite our best intentions to limit plastic waste, each trip to the grocery store paradoxically ends with more plastic in our carts than anticipated.

MikaCycle. “Food-Grade Plastics: A Means to Curbing Virgin Plastic Production.” Medium, 15 Mar. 2021

SUMMARY

Judge Products by Their Wrappers

The Augmented Reality (AR) application incentivizes and rewards wiser, greener choices by making eco-conscious decision making quick, easy and even fun.

Core Features

Learn what's inside your product packaging

Simply point your camera and tap on the desired object

Higher the score, higher the savings

Each grocery item receives a SUS (Sustainability Score) which could be exchanged for discount coupons at local grocery store.

Scan QR Code at the checkout to redeem discount

When you are at the checkout, simply go to cart and tap on QR Code to enlarge

PRODUCT GOAL

Raise consumer awareness on sustainable packaging materials

Our solution in the form of an Augmented Reality (AR) tool promotes alignment between shoppers’ needs and business’ current practices.

But why Augmented Reality (AR)?

By overlaying contextual sustainability insights directly onto product packaging in stores, Augmented Reality (AR) delivers that targeted influence precisely at the retailer shelf.

HUMAN ASPECT

Sustainable packaging is available but consumer awareness is rare

Article: Top 19 Ways to Reduce Plastic Waste at Home

How do young adults shop for groceries?

Budget

Coupons and loyalty programs appeal to them.

Convenience

Many favor online ordering or faster checkout options.

Sustainability

They are more likely to seek sustainably-produced food.

Finding Relevant Partnerships

Struggles to connect with brands that align with her content style and personal values.

Negotiating Fair Compensation

Uncertainty in setting and negotiating appropriate rates for collaborations.

Managing Multiple Collaborations

Overwhelmed by keeping track of various partnerships and content schedules.

Difficulty Measuring Marketing Impact

Needs simple tools to track and understand the effectiveness of marketing strategies.

PAINTING A PICTURE

Storyboard

Through hand-drawn storyboard sketches, interface concept journeys were translated into mock step-by-step engagements with the application itself as well as its scanned packaging prompts.

Fostering Form and Function

RAPID SKETCHING

What do you need when you are at the store?

Users wanted a clear path to conclude the scanning process when ready rather than only allowing add-on scans.

“Would you like to checkout?”

‍prompts the user to either start a new scan or conclude shopping.

WIREFRAME FLOW

Scan, Unwrap, and Save

The SUS (Sustainability Scoring System) provides users with a transparent and easy-to-understand sustainability metric.

3D MODEL DESIGN

Making the digital twins

3D models were constructed and animated in Blender before importing them into Reality Composer

FINAL PRODUCT

Scan and limit the waste at its source - your cart

Team

2 Designers
‍5 Engineers

Timeline

Jan - May 2024

Roles

UX Designer
3D Designer

Central to the project's ethos are sustainability, education, and interactive engagement. The application informs users about the environmental footprint of grocery packaging as shoppers can easily identify the sustainability quotient of product packaging by merely scanning a product.

Curious for more?

SPATIAL DESIGN

6 MONTHS

UNITY DEVELOPMENT

Spatial interface for improved organization and recall

A Spatial Mind map that allows users to visualize task reminders as virtual objects anchored to real world surfaces and locations.

Case Study

UX DESIGN

4 MONTHS

FIGMA

Connecting small businesses with local influencers

A streamlined web platform that connects small businesses with local influencers, simplifying marketing partnerships and campaign management.