Recycle Easy

Smartphone displaying a map of Copenhagen, Denmark, with multiple location markers and a blue dot indicating the user's position near Copenhagen Airport.
Mobile app screen titled "Recycling Made Easy" displaying options for recycling at home, scanned items including a milk carton and cheese.
Smartphone screen displaying scanned items labeled 'My Scanned Items': Milk carton, cheese, battery, and chewing gum.

Helping residents recycle correctly through clear guidance, visual information, and location-based support

Role

Timeline

Tools

1 Semester Individual University Project

UX/UI Designer & Front-End Developer

Figma • React Native • Visual Studio Code

The Challenge

Recycling systems can be confusing, especially when different waste categories have different disposal rules. Many people are unsure which bin an item belongs in or how it should be prepared before recycling, leading to incorrect waste sorting and unnecessary frustration.
The goal of this project was to design a mobile experience that makes recycling information quick to access, easy to understand, and available whenever users need it. Rather than requiring users to search through multiple websites, the app brings recycling guidance, waste categories, and nearby recycling stations into one intuitive experience.

Project Overview

RecycleEasy is a mobile application designed to simplify recycling by helping users quickly identify the correct waste category, learn local recycling guidelines, and find nearby recycling stations. The project combined UX design with front-end development to create a practical solution that makes recycling information more accessible and easier to navigate.

Research

Problem Research

I began by researching the recycling system in Denmark and identifying common challenges users face when sorting household waste. This helped define the core features needed to support users throughout the recycling process.

Design Guidelines

Before designing the interface, I reviewed established mobile design guidelines to ensure the application prioritized readability, clear navigation, accessible touch targets, and a clean visual hierarchy. These principles informed every screen throughout the project.

Competitive Inspiration

I analyzed existing recycling resources and mobile experiences to understand how information is currently presented. The goal was to simplify complex recycling rules into an interface that users could understand at a glance.

Timeline

A place to explain how the project unfolded over time

1

Research

Uncover target user needs, behaviors, and pain points through interviews and competitive analysis to inform product decisions.

Information Architecture

2

Organize and structure the product’s content and navigation flow so users can find information intuitively.

3

Wireframes

Draft low-fidelity, black-and-white visual layouts to map out page functionality and core content placement without visual distractions.

High-Fidelity UI

4

Apply brand typography, colors, iconography, and polished visual elements to transform wireframes into interactive, production-ready designs.

5

Development

Translate the UI designs into functional, cross-platform mobile code for in React Native.

6

Testing & Iteration

Validate the live app with real users to identify bugs and usability issues, continuously refining the experience based on feedback.

Final Solution

RecycleEasy combines educational content with practical tools, allowing users to quickly understand recycling rules while providing location-based assistance whenever additional support is needed


Recycling Categories

Mobile app screen titled 'Recycling Made Easy' showing options for recycling categories and scanned items, including a milk carton and cheese.
Mobile app screen titled 'Recycling Made Easy' showing options for recycling categories and scanned items, including a milk carton and cheese.

The homepage provides quick access to ten recycling categories using large visual cards. Selecting a category immediately opens detailed disposal guidelines, allowing users to find the information they need with minimal navigation


Recycling Guide

Smartphone screen displaying an app about food waste and residual waste, with a list of edible food waste items and recycling information.
Smartphone screen displaying a waste disposal app with a section for residual waste, including images of waste items and a reminder to tie a knot in the waste sack.

Each recycling category includes a dedicated information page explaining what belongs in that waste stream, what should be avoided, and how items should be prepared before disposal. The layout was designed in Figma to make complex information easy to scan and understand.


Nearby Recycling Stations

Map displayed on a smartphone showing multiple locations marked with red pins in Copenhagen, Denmark, including Copenhagen Airport.

An interactive map displays nearby recycling stations together with additional information about each location. This helps users easily find appropriate disposal points for waste that cannot be recycled through household collection.


Previously Scanned Items

Smartphone screen displaying scanned items: milk carton, cheese, battery, chewing gum.
Smartphone screen showing a digital record of a milk carton belonging to 'Food & Beverage Cartons' with a photo of the milk carton, a button to find recycling centers, and instructions to compost and flatten the carton before disposal.

Recently scanned items remain accessible from the homepage, allowing users to quickly revisit previous recycling decisions without repeating the process.

Wireframes

Mobile app interface titled "Recycling Made Easy" with sections for scanning an item, instructions on how to recycle, and recently scanned items, with navigation icons at the bottom.
Mobile app interface for scanned items, showing options to upload new photos, save items, and browse recently scanned items. Placeholder images are visible for photos.
A mobile app screen with a camera icon in the center, and buttons labeled 'Retake photo' and 'Save item' below it.
A recycling guide chart with sections for Paper, Plastic, Food waste, and Glass, each with space for notes or instructions.
Diagram of five circles with plus signs and smiley faces inside, arranged randomly on a light gray background, with blank lines for listing items below.