Sustainability for Both Humanity and the Earth

Recycloop is an innovative mobile platform that champions the recycling movement for future generations. Our mission is simple: to nurture a culture of sustainability that benefits both humanity and the earth.This app encourages people to break down items into recyclable raw materials that they can drop into nearby drop-off stations. The amount of materials that can be recycled out of the items they dropped can then be converted into points, a form of incentive.

Type

Business Case

DELIVERABLES

Mobile Design

Year

February 2024

Role

UX Designer and Branding

THE CHALLENGE


The U.S. recycling system is plagued by consumer confusion due to inconsistent recycling policies across different regions, leading to high contamination rates, operational inefficiencies, and significant environmental and economic impacts. Despite the desire to recycle, many individuals lack the knowledge and tools needed to participate effectively, resulting in improper disposal and underutilization of recycling programs.

HOW MIGHT WE STATEMENT


How might we create a unified and accessible recycling platform that educates consumers on location-specific recycling rules, reduces confusion, and minimizes contamination, while also promoting sustainable behaviors?

HOW MIGHT WE STATEMENT


How might we create a unified and accessible recycling platform that educates consumers on location-specific recycling rules, reduces confusion, and minimizes contamination, while also promoting sustainable behaviors?

SOLUTIONS

After our endless midnight brainstorms, conversations, and two bags of kettle chips, we came up with three main solutions:
01


AI-Powered Sorting Assistance
By using image recognition AI, the app informs users about the recyclability of items based on their location, addressing geographic inconsistencies and reducing sorting errors. This empowers users to recycle correctly, improving overall recycling efficiency.






02

ChatBot Assistance for Recycling Repurposing Items
The app encourages a shift to a circular economy by providing creative suggestions for repurposing items, reducing waste, promoting sustainability, and fostering a culture of reuse.
02

ChatBot Assistance for Recycling Repurposing Items
The app encourages a shift to a circular economy by providing creative suggestions for repurposing items, reducing waste, promoting sustainability, and fostering a culture of reuse.



B2B Marketplace



B2B Marketplace



B2B Marketplace



C2C Marketplace



C2C Marketplace



C2C Marketplace
03


B2B and C2C Secondhand Marketplace
The marketplace connects customers with businesses (C2B) and other customers (C2C) to buy and sell recycled materials like glass, plastic, and paper. The C2B model allows customers to sell products that are broken down into raw materials for bulk purchase by industries. The C2C model enables customers to sell used items to others, promoting recycling and reuse while providing financial incentives.
WHAT I LEARNED
The background of this study is based on the Environmental Innovation Challenge that was hosted by the University of Washington in 2024.

Our solution is poised to leave a lasting impact by embedding sustainable practices into everyday life, enriching individuals and communities economically, and fostering a healthier environment for generations to come. Empowering individuals to transform their environmental impact from the convenience of their smartphones, we are dedicated to turning the act of recycling into a universally embraced habit, enriching both our planet and the lives it sustains.
As the only UX Designer working on this project, I felt grateful to be in charge of the creative direction! I had a lot of fun playing around, customizing the icons, and have it to have an organic feel to stay cohesive with the theme. Designing the logo was also a lot of fun!

Next Project

Sté comes from my name, Steven, but it’s more than that—it shapes everything I hope to do. I’m deeply connected to the word “stay.” When I sing, I want my audience to stay and listen. When I design, I create moments that invite people to stay and engage. When I create art, I hope the audience stays immersed. And when I craft fragrances, I want them to stay with those who wear them, evoking lasting memories.


Cringe, but Welcome! I hope you sté with me and enjoy my works!

2025 ® Steven Heng + iced americanos.

Resume

Sté comes from my name, Steven, but it’s more than that—it shapes everything I hope to do. I’m deeply connected to the word “stay.” When I sing, I want my audience to stay and listen. When I design, I create moments that invite people to stay and engage. When I create art, I hope the audience stays immersed. And when I craft fragrances, I want them to stay with those who wear them, evoking lasting memories.


Cringe, but Welcome! I hope you sté with me and enjoy my works!

2025 ® Steven Heng + iced americanos.

Resume

Sté comes from my name, Steven, but it’s more than that—it shapes everything I hope to do. I’m deeply connected to the word “stay.” When I sing, I want my audience to stay and listen. When I design, I create moments that invite people to stay and engage. When I create art, I hope the audience stays immersed. And when I craft fragrances, I want them to stay with those who wear them, evoking lasting memories.


Cringe, but Welcome! I hope you sté with me and enjoy my works!

2025 ® Steven Heng + iced americanos.

Resume

BILLY DUVALLE

®2024

BILLY DUVALLE

®2024