Mar 2024 - May 2024 | 6 weeks
FoodSwap
A sustainable community pantry with an intuitive app system that provides a platform for students to share, exchange, and access food items within their college dorm floor.
Sustainability
UI/UX Design
Prototyping
Project Type /
University Individual Project
Brief
Collaborate with a team to develop a product-focused service design concept addressing key sustainability challenges.
Other Team Members
Brandon Burlison
Varshini Chouthri
Researching College Waste
Each year, U.S. college students generate over
200 million tons of waste
U.S. universities only average a
24% recycling rate
Source: “7 Back-to-School Waste Statistics: How to Avoid Them at Your College.” CheckSammy, 17 Nov. 2023, check
sammy.com/blog/7-back-to-school-waste-statistics/#:~:text=1.,sustainable%20practices%20from%20the%20start.
According to the National Resource Defense Council,
22 million pounds of food is wasted annually
on college campuses across the U.S.
Source: “College Students’ Impact on Food Waste.” Food Waste, CCC Writing Program, n.d., http://www.foodwaste.
cccwriting.org/college/#:~:text=In%20the%20US%20alone%2C%20about,them%20to%20do%20about%20it.
BrightStream Receptacles
$278.85
Stylish and functional compost bins for public spaces, like colleges
Pros: Simple design, Functional, Promotes composting, Durable
Cons: Expensive, Few size options
Opportunities: Add digital tools to guide efficient waste management
Big Belly Trash Systems
$3,500 - $4,100
They make solar-powered compacting bins for public spaces
Pros: Reduces emptying, Smart monitoring, Easy maintenance
Cons: Very expensive, Can only collect a certain amount of waste
Opportunities: Create a scalable system to handle more waste
Toter Blue Recycling Bin
$69.98 | 4.8/5 stars on Lowe’s
The Toter Blue Recycling Bin is durable, spacious, and user-friendly
Pros: Cheap, Convenient to use for simple recycling in public spaces
Cons: Fills up quickly, Relies on people to know what is recyclable
Opportunities: A system that simplifies recycling by sorting items
Recycling Signages
Price Varies
Informative signs to encourage recycling and waste sorting
Pros: Boosts awareness, streamlines processes, and is customizable
Cons: May blend in with other signs, overly complex
Opportunities: Use eye-catching graphics and digital signage
Existing Solutions on the Market
Survey
Key Insights
-
57% of participants believe food waste management is the top issue at colleges
-
People prefer convenient recycling options
-
Lack of awareness is a major challenge in waste reduction on campus
-
College students report only occasional efforts to be sustainable
User Interview #1
Key Points
User Interview #2
Key Points
Observation Charts
From Interview #1 & #2
Peggy Thai
User Interview #1
Peggy Thai, a junior at the University of Houston, is passionate about sustainability and recycling. She participates in campus environmental initiatives and applies her commitment to sustainability in tasks like studio cleanups.
Kimberly Umana
User Interview #2
Kimberly, a junior at Texas A&M University, is interested in recycling on campus. Though not deeply involved in formal initiatives, she regularly uses recycling bins and focuses on waste reduction, especially during dorm move-outs.
Affinity Diagram
User Research
My team and I interviewed users and created an affinity diagram to identify key patterns and improve the design.
Participatory Design Session - College Students
At the start of our design session, we introduced our target group to the topic of waste management within dorms.
In the brainstorming session, participants collaborated to generate ideas for reducing waste in college dorms.
Participant 1
Key Features
-
Multiple Slots
-
Recycling Bin Station
-
Pickup Service
-
Notification
Participant 3
Key Features
-
Reusing Recyclables
-
Condensed Plastics
Participant 2
Key Features
-
Pickup Service
-
Recycling Bin Station
-
Reward System
Participant 4
Key Features
-
Community Sharing
-
Regulations
What's the Main Problem?
College students often face challenges with food waste in dormitories, leading to unnecessary disposal of edible items and contributing to an increase in environmental concerns.
What's the Design Goal?
Design a sustainable solution that facilitates the exchange of surplus food items among dormitory residents, reducing food waste and fostering a sense of communal responsibility towards the environment.
15 Group Ideation Sketches
Food Waste & Recycling System Exploration
“Recycling” Group
System ideation
Within the “Recycling Group,” we devised five solutions
for reducing food waste through dorm room recycling. Our ideas focus on recycling tech and smart bins to encourage communal responsibility and reduce environmental impact.
“Composting” Group
System ideation
In the “Composting Group,” we explored five different methods to address food waste in dormitories through composting. Our proposals include simple composting
setups and compost donations to gardens, aiming to
cultivate a culture of community and sustainability.
“Sharing” Group
System ideation
For the “Sharing Group,” we generated five innovative strategies to promote food sharing and reduce waste in dormitories. Our concepts include food trading apps, donation bins, thrifting marketplaces, food trucks, and community pantries, all designed to foster a culture of sharing and sustainability within the campus.
Smart Composting Bin
Refined Concept 1
The Smart Composting Bin, made for dorms and campuses, promotes sustainability by allowing compost donations to local gardens.
Food Sharing Community App
Refined Concept 2
The Food Sharing Community App connects dorm residents to share excess food. It fosters a sense of community and supports waste reduction efforts.
Community Pantry
Refined Concept 3
The Community Pantry allows dorm students to share food with app-based tracking and rewards. The staff ensures the pantry's cleanliness, promoting sustainability and waste reduction.
Refining Top 3 Concepts
Value Propositions
System Objectives
Final Concept Storyboard
Community Pantry & App
For our final Community Pantry concept, we added a fridge section for perishables and placed a pantry on each dorm floor to enhance safety and limit sharing. An AI food verification system was integrated for security. Users can now scan their ID cards for easy access. The rewards feature remains, and resident advisors will manage pantry cleanliness, in line with their responsibilities.
Community Pantry Exchange
Sustainable Rewards Program
Inventory Management System
Community Pantry
CAD Model Refinements
We designed the community pantry with a fun, colorful look, using light green and modern decals. Hidden groove handles enhance visibility, and separate doors distinguish the fridge and pantry. A simple card scanner replaces a digital interface, and a QR code directs users to the app.
Prototyping Pantry Model
Fabrication Process
To make the pantry model for our video, we bought a shelf with a glass door that looks similar to the CAD model. We painted the shelf light green and taped a green cardboard piece to the side of the pantry. We 3D-printed the card scanner, painted it, and glued it to the cardboard.
Exploring User Perspectives
Three Main Personas
Emily
22 years old | Female | College Student
"My busy schedule leaves me with unused groceries piling up in my dorm."
Value Proposition: Community Pantry Exchange
Rachel
20 years old | Female | College Student
"I struggle to stay motivated to be sustainable with my busy lifestyle."
Value Proposition: Sustainable Rewards Program
Jeremy
22 years old | Male | College Student
"I’m tired of constantly cleaning up after residents and their mess."
Value Proposition: Inventory Management System
FoodSwap App
Walkthrough Based on User Scenarios
Sign-up and Log-In
Accessing User Account
Adding Food
Community Pantry Exchange
Taking Food
Community Pantry Exchange
Redeeming Rewards
Sustainable Rewards Program
Pantry Maintenance
Inventory Management System
FoodSwap Pantry
Technical Details & Renders
The Small Food Hub on Every Floor
Connecting Communities
for Sustainable Dorm Living
