Research Case Study
A combined feedback + persuasive technology for recycling. Designed and evaluated with a sample from Athens, GA, built on the insight that awareness alone doesn't change behavior unless paired with action, place, and reward.
With Delaram Yazdansepas · University of Georgia, Dept. of Computer Science · Athens, GA
Eco-feedback tools show you the damage. Persuasive tools nudge you toward better behavior. On their own, neither one sustains a habit. The bigger problem hiding underneath: most people don't know what's actually recyclable where they live, in our survey, 76% of participants didn't know recycling rules vary by location. Awareness without local accuracy means good intentions still send the wrong material into the bin.
76% of surveyed participants didn't know recycling rules differ by location. Any system that ignores place will keep producing well-intentioned contamination.
Participants told us reward, especially financial, would keep them using the product. Penalties did the opposite: they'd push people away entirely, even if they worked short-term.
Feedback tools show impact without a plan. Persuasive tools nudge behavior without showing why. Combining them, and adding community visibility, beat both in retention and accuracy.
One physical bin, four internal sections, one shared screen. Sensors detect what's being thrown in and compare it against the local recycling center's rules (auto-detected by location or zip code). Correct items are positively reinforced; mistakes get a clear, in-the-moment correction with a short explanation.
| Household | Items | Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Alex M. | 2,140 | 1st |
| Jamie L. | 1,765 | 2nd |
| Casey R. | 1,402 | 3rd |
| You | 1,247 | 4th |
| Taylor K. | 988 | 5th |
From approach to feedback to long-term community impact, the full Smart Recycle journey.
Exploring layout, hierarchy and content structure.
Designing clear, supportive error prevention states.
Gamification and local engagement concepts.
Making environmental impact visible & relatable.
In evaluation, users were significantly more precise with their recycling using Smart Recycle than with a standard bin. The bin is one piece, the larger goal is an interactive eco-feedback environment where every technology you touch makes the sustainable choice the easy one.