recycling plastics in australia
TRANSCRIPT
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Labels and plastic
recycling in AustraliaA design problem and solution
Design Practical 1
Assessment 1
Eunice Ching
131FCG4105
23 August 2013
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Part 1: A design problem
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1Design practical 1: Defining the problem
Intro
In todays world of fast living and disposable items, recycling is becoming an increasingly important option for
waste management. It has become such an ingrained part the lives of Australian residents that most people today
recycle. However, according to an analysis of peoples recycling habits by Victoria University, approximately 95%
of Australians see recycling as a high priority and 99% of Australian households claim to recycle, but compared
to these numbers, the recycling rates in actuality are relatively low (Buelow, Lewis & Sonneveld 2009, p. 2). The
large difference between intention and result may sound strange, but it is actually due to the fact that Australians
may be confused about what materials should be recycled and what should end up in the landfill. I first came
across this problem when I was still investigating sustainable yogurt packaging. An article by Reportage Enviro,
a web magazine part of the University of Technology in Sydney (UTS), outlined the lack of recycling regulations
in Australia and consumers confusions towards various recycling labels (Michael, 2010). This article made me
think about my recycling habits in Australia and I began to think of how I could go about defining this as a design
problem.
First step: secondary research
Before I could observe peoples recycling habits around me, I needed to know some general facts about recycling.
Benefits of recycling
In terms of environmental benefits regarding recycling, there are many. Recycling items when appropriate reduces
greenhouse gases and air pollution as well as conserves energy due to the fact it uses little or no raw materials
(Scarff, 2011). According to a RMIT University document, substituting raw materials with recycled goods recovered
to make new products would result in the environmental benefits of saving almost 93 million gigajoules of energy,
preventing more than 5 million tons of greenhouse gasses from being emitted into the atmosphere, and saving
more than 61,000 megalitres of water (Sustainability Victoria, 2013). This was measured by the amount of recycled
waste collected in Victoria between 2010-2011 (abid).
Recycling in Australia
Australia has recycling-conscious residents with a government continually working to improve its environmental
waste management systems. According to PACIA (the Plastic and Chemicals Industry Association) in their 2011-2012 National Plastics Survey, the recycling rate of plastics have been steadily increasing especially since 2007
(PACIA, 2012). Victoria is known to collect more recycling than any other state with a recovery rate of about 60
per cent from kerbside collected plastics (Sustainability Victoria, 2013). The Australian Government is also keen to
promote recycling and strive toward a more sustainable country. In 2009, its Environmental Ministers proposed the
National Waste Policy, aiming to reduce the environmental harm of waste disposal (Commonwealth of Australia,
2012). This initiation is endorsed by the Council of Australian Governments, and came about due to recyclings
inability to keep up with the rising generation of waste (abid). Between 2002 and 2007, waste generation
increased by 31 per cent (abid). The National Waste Policy outlines 16 waste management strategies that would
benefit from a national, coordinated approach including better packaging management, better sustainable
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2Design practical 1: Defining the problem
procurement practices and improvements in the avoidance of waste and the re-use of materials in commercial and
industrial sectors (abid).
Are people recycling wrong?
Before I did primary research on this matter, I wanted to see what experts had to say on this topic. Figures show in
the NSW Department of Local Government that 37 per cent of Sydney household waste is currently being recycled
(IRecycle, n.d.). If people recycled correctly, the percentage of recycled household waste could go up to 80 per cent
(abid). A study done by Victoria University showed that a little less than half of the recyclable material found in
an Australian household end up in garbage bins (Buelow, Lewis & Sonneveld 2009, p. 3). One interesting study
showed that some maybe recycling wrong due to confusing or incorrect labels (abid, p6). In the study, people
were given a flexible foil wrapper with the labels below marked on it and were asked to either dispose or recycle
the product (abid).
Surprisingly, people appropriately disposed of the item in the waste bin (abid). When people were asked to
perform the same task looking solely at the labels, only 23% came up the with same answers (abid). This could
suggest that people are more confused with the labelling than the materials themselves. The study also pointed
to the importance of clear labelling by claiming the most well understood labels were those that clearly instructed
consumers on how to dispose the product, for example: please recycle (abid).
How recycling wrong can be harmful?
One of the most important points that I had to research was if recycling incorrectly was actually harmful. If
recycling inappropriately caused no damages, there would be no need for a design solution to this matter.
The following research shows that recycling incorrectly could have serious implications to the whole process.
According to Banyules waste education coordinator Margaret Morgan, putting items that dont belong in therecycling bin such as plastic bags, plastic film, drinking glasses and clothing can have disastrous effects, such
as having contaminated loads ending up in the landfill (Scarff, 2011). Plastic bags, one the worlds most used
products, are seen to be the biggest contaminant of kerbside recycling (IRecycle, n.d.). This is because human
sorters at pre-sorting stations do not have time to open plastic bags to find out what is inside, and some bags
have been to known to hold dangerous materials such as dirty diapers and medical equipment (Planet Ark, 2012).
Another reasons is that they get caught in conveyor belts and jam spinning wheels in the automatic sorting
process (abid). Consequently, most recyclables in plastic bags are sent to landfills (abid).
From left to right:The International Tidy Man
symbol (Wikimedia, 2005), the Green Dot symbol
(Wikimedia, 2009), and the triangular plastic #5
symbol (Planet Ark 2006, p. 17).
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3Design practical 1: Defining the problem
Second step: Design thinking
The second part of defining my design problem was find out peoples thoughts on recycling in Australia, their
experiences with it, and if they are actually recycling incorrectly and why.
Empathize
Observe
Before I observed others, I started to observe my recycling habits. I went through my recycling box to analyze what
I have been recycling. After doing some research on recycling I have realized that I too have also been recycling
incorrectly. Items such as #7 triangle labels and polystyrene are not recyclable. Then I took a peek in the two yellow
boxes of my building to see what my neighbours have been recycling. Some people have also been recycling
incorrectly as I found porcelain plates in the yellow bin.
Engage
Based on the results of my observations I decided to take my primary research further by conducting a survey1.
I made a simple eight-question survey based on the research I gathered in step 1 and requested as wide of ademographic as possible to take the survey as previous research has shown that most Australians recycle. The
following demographics were asked to take the survey:
People living in Western Australia, New South Wales, Tasmania, Queensland, North Territory and South
Australia. I excluded Australian Capital Territory as I did not know anyone living there.
Recent residents of Australia (those who have lived here 5 years or less)
First generation Australians (immigrants who are now Australian citizens and having been living here for 5
years or longer)
The various items found in my
recycling bin. As you can see, I try to
recycle anything with the triangular
arrow label.
The survey can be accessed at:
http://kwiksurveys.com/app/rendersurvey.asp?sid=xjyvqrkarz8lcz5200231&refer=kwiksurveys.com
or a link from here: http://designthinkereunice.wordpress.com/2013/08/15/week4-1/
1.
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4Design practical 1: Defining the problem
Citizens who have been born and raised in Australia
People between the ages of 16-65
Both males and females
Based on the survey results, I chose three demographics that I wanted more information from. Thus I conducted
a phone or a face-to-face interview with the following three people to get more in depth information regarding
their thoughts on recycling in Australia.
Persona A:A first generation Australian female in her 40s, married with two children. She lives in the
suburbs of Sydney (West Pennant Hills), and immigrated from Hong Kong more than 20 years ago.
Persona B:A recently arrived expat male, married, 29, living and working in the Manly area.
Persona C: An Australian male, 30, born and raised in Victoria, currently a university student in Melbourne.
My final interview2was with Julien Gastaldi, an environmental engineer that specializes in waste management in
Australia. His interview was highly informative and was very constructive to the defining of my design problem.
Define
Based on my survey, I have come to the following conclusions regarding my audience. My first conclusion was that
most people I have surveyed recycle.
According to IRecycle, a recycling initiative made by the Australian waste logistics company 1300Rubbish, the
majority of Australians think that recycling is important (IRecycle, n.d.). A Roy Morgan research conducted in 2006
also showed that 86% Australians recycle as much as possible (abid).
My second conclusion is that people are not familiar with the triangular number system (see diagram on next
page). Only 6 per cent of my respondents (2 people) knew what every symbol meant.
Most of the time
50%
Always
32.35%
About half the time
Once in a while
11.76%
5.88%
How often do you recycle?When asked how often one recycles most people
answered most of the time, or always. No one
answered never.
Please see my blog for the full paraphrased interview here:
http://designthinkereunice.wordpress.com/2013/08/18/week4-2/
2.
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5Design practical 1: Defining the problem
This triangle system was not actually developed for consumers to identify whether or not the product is recyclable.
It is developed by manufacturers to indicate to the recycling industry whether the product can be recycled or
reused (Scarff, 2011). It is also used to as a label to categorize the type of plastic used to manufacture the product
(Gastaldi, 2013). Below is a chart of the plastic labeling and their meanings.
Another survey result refers to human nature. Although many have been confused whether a product could be
recycled, very few have taken the next step to confirm whether a product was recyclable. This shows that people
are keen to recycle only if it is made easy for them. It is also one of the reasons for the one bin recycling system in
Australia and shows how simplicity leads to high recycling rates (Gastaldi, 2013).
Polyethylene Terephthalate
(PET)soft drink or detergent bottles
High Density Polyethylene
(HDPE)milk, cream or shampoo bottles
Polyvinyl Chloride
(PVC)
cordial or juice bottles
Low Density Polyethylene
(LDPE)squeeze bottles
Polypropylene
(PP)ice cream containers , take away containers
Polystyrene
(PS)
yogurt containers, margarine containers and
some polystyrene
Other soft plastics like bags
Symbol Technical name Usually found in
Numbers 1 and 2 are the most common plastics for kerbside pickup. Some communities will pick up items
with numbers 3-6 (except for polystyrene), number 7 are usually not recyclable at all (Zero Waste SA, 2011).
The seven numbers of the triangle system used to indicate plastic material (Planet Ark 2006, p. 17).
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6Design practical 1: Defining the problem
In one of the questions, I asked the survey participates if they would recycle a polystyrene product. Polystyrene
products are usually not recyclable in Australia3even though there is a triangle-recycling label on it (City of Sydney,
2012). The diagram below shows the product I used and the participants answers.
Define the problems
Based on my research, these were the following problems that I defined:
1. Plastic that cannot be recycled that ends up being recycled causes contamination, lowering the quality of
recycled material and sometimes causing whole batches of plastic to end up in the landfill
2. People are confused about what products can be recycled due to labelling
3. Current labelling system on plastic products in Australia are numbered 1-7, not indicating easily to
consumers whether it can or cannot be recycled
4. Labels are hard to see on some packages
5. Different countries, states and areas have different types of recycling plants, affecting the labelling of
products: This mainly has to do with funding and how recycling is governed in Australia. It also leads to
another reason why there are only one or two types of recycling bins. Recycling is left to the responsibility
of the local council, which already have too much responsibilities and too little budget. Thus, four to five
different councils have to pool together to pay for one recycling system. This accounts for the variations in
the recycling abilities of different areas.
Would you recycle the
following product?
Yes41.18%
No26.47%
Dont know29.41%
Does not apply
2.94%
(The Science Guy, n.d.)
As you can see, the
amount of people who
would recycle this or are
uncertain show that very
few people are actually
recycling correctly.
Polystyrene is actually a very recyclable product and can be expanded and crushed 1000 times before
it decays (Gastaldi, 2013). For financial reasons, it is not recycled because recycled goods are charged
by the ton it is not worth the cost of transporting such light and space consuming material (abid). For
more information regarding this please read the interview.
3.
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7Design practical 1: Defining the problem
6. Sometimes, recyclable products do not have the recycling symbol such as some yogurt and dairy dessert
containers (Upstart, 2011)
7. Different cultures may recycle differently: My qualitative interviews with the three personas provided me
with insight on their recycling habits. Persona A, the first generation Australian, finds recycling important,
but acknowledges that her children, born and raised in Australia, have better recycling knowledge than
she. Persona B, the expat, has been living with very few facts on recycling in Australia. He often recycles as
he would in Sweden, putting many items in the yellow bin that may not be recycled here. Persona C, the
born and raised Victorian, finds recycling extremely important and has found recycling facilities increasing
around Melbourne. Although he has received recycling education in school, he goes by the triangular
number system as indication whether items are recyclable or not (therefore, have been recycling incorrectly
without knowing it).
Therefore, my main design problem is this:
People in Australia are recycling plastics incorrectly due to confusing labeling on products, leading to problems
such as contamination and waste in plastic recycling processes.
Ideate
Based on the conclusions above I have come to conclude that people in Australia will benefit from clearer recycling
labels on their products in order to recycle properly. I have drawn a concept map4to brainstorm on this conclusion
and three important concerns have come to mind.
Social sustainabilityMy first main concern was if my design solution would cause job loss. According to my interview with Gastaldi,
recycling actually creates seven times more jobs than if everything was just sent to the landfill. If people were to
recycle well enough that the sorting jobs became obsolete, new, higher quality jobs will emerge such as selling
and market creation for the increased amount of recycled materials, due to the changed nature of recycling
(Gastaldi, 2013).
Environmental sustainability
Materials, manufacturing and distribution must be carried out in a way that damages the environment as little aspossible.
Economical sustainability
Materials, manufacturing and distribution must also be carried out with as low cost as possible, or else the solution
will not be desirable.
Please see the concept map here:
http://designthinkereunice.wordpress.com/2013/08/15/week4-1/
4.
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8Design practical 1: Defining the problem
Conclusion
Based on my extensive research and observations, I have come to conclude that most people in Australia have the
intention to recycle, as it has become a part of their lives. Their main problem is that they are not getting the clear
indication on how to recycle properly, thus leading to contamination and waste in the recycling process. As Julien
Gastaldi (2013) pointed out in our interview the solution is basically to make it easy for people. If it is made easy,
no one will willfully do the wrong thing anymore, because it becomes part of general culture.
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9Design practical 1: Defining the problem
Bibliography
Buelow, S, Lewis, H & Sonneveld, K 2009, The Role of Labels in Directing Consumer Packaging Waste, Victoria
University, accessed 14 August, 2013, .
Commonwealth of Australia 2012, National Waste Policy, Australian Government Department of Sustainability,
Environment, Waster Population and Communities, accessed 17 August 2013, .
Interview J Gastaldi, Environmental Engineer, 18 August, 2013.
IRecycle n.d.,A Guide to Kerbside Recycling, IRecycle, accessed 17 August 2013, .
Michael, S 2010, Lack of recycling regulations in Australia, Reportage Enviro, accessed 14 August 2013, .
PACIA 2012, 2011-12 National Plastics Recycling Survey, PACIA, accessed 18 August 2013,
Planet Ark 2012, Why are plastic bags so bad for your recycling bin?, Planet Ark, accessed 14 August 2013, .
Scarff, K 2011, Doing the Right Thing, Upstart, accessed 14 August 2013, .
Sustainability Victoria 2013, The environmental benefits of recycling, Sustainability Victoria, accessed 14 August
2013, < http://www.sustainability.vic.gov.au/www/html/1351-sustainability-the-benefits-of-recycling.asp>.
The City of Sydney 2012, Recycling, The City of Sydney, accessed 14 August 2013, .
Images
Bottom foam try no label[image], in Hammer Down Catapult Gliders, The Science Guy, accessed 15 August 2013,
.
Green Dot logo [image], in File:Green dot logo.svg 2009, Wikimedia, accessed 19 August 2013, .
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10Design practical 1: Defining the problem
International Tidy Man Logo [image]. inFile: International tidyman.jpg2005, Wikimedia, accessed 19 August 2013,
.
PET, HDPF, PVC, LDPE, PP, PS, OTHER [image], in What do the numbers and symbols on plastics mean?2011, Zero
Waste SA, accessed 21 August 2013, .
The plastics identification code [image], in Recycling Myths: Sorting the fact from the fiction, Planet Ark, accessed 13
August 2013, .
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Part 2: A design solution
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Design practical 1: Design 1
INTRODUCTION
As environmental problems are increasingly affecting our daily lives, it is now more important to come up with
solutions for these problems. Based on the research in my first assignment, I have concluded the followingdesign
problem: people in Australia are not getting clear indication on how to recycle plastics properly, leading
to contamination of waste in the recycling process.In this paper, I will attempt to solve this design problem by
evaluating different solutions.
RESEARCH METHODS
I have used various methods to reach my conclusions. One method used was secondary research to pin point
existing solutions that may solve this design problem. I also used the data collected in my first assignment to
formulate a third solution. To answer questions posed in each criteria of the evaluation process, I used secondary
research and also conducted a quantitative survey asking residents in different parts of Australia how they felt
about certain elements of each solution (see Annex A for survey questions and results). Individual interviews were
also conducted with people who have experienced existing solutions (see Annex B for interviews).
Based on my research I have chosen to evaluate the following three solutions: Plastics recycling in Japan, the
container depositing scheme in South Australia, and a sticker labeling system that I have come up with.
SOLUTION1: PLASTICS RECYCLING IN JAPAN
I decided to research Japan as a solution as they are seen as a global leader in plastics recycling (McCurry 2011). In
2010, 77% of their plastics were recycled compared to that of 39% in 1996 (abid). This may be due to the various
recycling laws that Japan passed in the late 1990s and early 2000s such as compulsory separation of plastic waste,
mandatory printing of unified recycling symbols on plastic products, and encouragement of using recycled
material in manufacturing production (abid). Japans decision to take such drastic recycling measures stem from
their tendency to overuse packaging material and their lack of landfill space (abid).
Japans own recycling symbols. As most symbolscontain words, only consumers who understandJapanese will be able to use the system withoutguidance (all-recycling-facts.com 2013)
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Design practical 1: Design 2
How it works
Japan has their own system of recycling symbols on their products known as recycling identification marks, and
the government passed a law in 2001 obliging manufacturing companies to put these symbols on their products
(all-recycling-facts.com 2013). They have from 5-44 bins for dividing up their trash, including burnable waste,
nonburnable waste, cardboard, aluminum etc (abid). In terms of plastics, they have one for plastics containers and
packaging and one for PET plastic (abid). For example, a product such as cup noodle packaging will have 1 or more
labels indicating recycling.
Culturally, it works on a system of responsibility as part of a law that came into effect in 2000 called the containers
and recycling law which held consumers responsible for sorting out their waste. Municipalities were also
responsible in providing facilities to collect these items, and businesses to recycle and use whatever has been
collected to make new products (all-recycling-facts.com 2013). In Yokohama 27 page guideline is given to each
resident outlining correct recycling practices (Onishi 2005).
It seems to work in Japan as the Japanese invests a lot of money into the development of new technology
enabling them to use more of the recycled PET (McCurry 2011). For example, Ajinomoto, a food company, recently
developed a plastic bottle made entirely from recycled PET (abid). The Japanese also take recycling very seriously,
as far as having volunteers patrol their area/building to check the waste of residents who fail to follow garbage
sorting and recycling guidelines and leaving them reminders to improve their practices of disposal (Onishi 2005).
SOLUTION 2: CONTAINER DEPOSITING SCHEME
The container depositing scheme is used in South Australia to encourage people to recycle their cans and bottles
for money (White 2013). In South Australia, this scheme is said to remove 80% of cans and bottles, twice that of
kerbside recycling (abid).
How it works
A ten-cent increase is added to the price of plastic bottles and cans (Borelle 2013). Consumers get a ten-cents
per item when they return the empty containers such as plastic drink bottles or aluminum cans to authorized
This cup noodle packaging indicates thedifferent ways to recycle the product. (all-recycling-facts.com 2013)
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Design practical 1: Design 4
Each shop and supermarket will be informed that plastics of certain resin numbers are recyclable while others are
not. If a certain item is not on the list, the shop can contact the councils support center to ask.
The shops and supermarkets will receive the stickers from a centralized sticker producer and implement them on
plastic products when they are stocking shelves.
EVALUATION
In order to evaluate the solutions fairly, I have used a decision matrix which evaluates options and prioritizes
certain criteria (Tague, in American Society for Quality 2013). I have used a set of criteria to evaluate each solution.
Each criteria will have a numerical value attached to it based on its priority to the over all design problem (1=
important, 2= very important). A set of questions will also be asked in each criteria to help evaluate the solutions.
The answers will also be given a numerical value based on their ability to satisfy the requirements presented
by each question (1= low, 2=medium, 3=high). Each solution will be given a final numerical score based on the
importance of the criteria and their ability to fulfill the questions presented in each criteria. The total scores of each
criteria will be added up to give the solution a final overall score. To better understand the decision matrix please
see the evaluation table in the analysis section and a breakdown of the formula below.
I used the following criteria to evaluate the three solutions:
User experience:This is based on my experience of the target audience, the consumers. Since user experience isthe basis of the problem, it gets a value of 2.
Triple Bottom Line: A popular concept in implementation and business evaluation mainly used in the non-
profit world (Hall & Slaper 2011). Here I will focus on economic sustainability (cost), to ensure that these
solutions will be cost efficient to implement. It will also get a value of 2 as cost is an important criteria of
every solution. Social sustainability (human resources and people)is a criteria used to ensure people are
not negatively affected by these solutions and that jobs are not lost, and gets a value of 1. Environmental
sustainabilityis also a criteria as the main goal of these solutions is to improve our environment and gets a value
of 1.
Example
FORMULA FOR SCORING SYSTEM
importance of criteria x score from criteria question =total score
User experience is a very important criteria so it gets a value of 2.
Criteria question: Are product symbols easily understood by the consumer?Score:3 (high)Reason: 100% of the consumers tested correctly identified the product as recyclable due to the clear symbol.
Therefore the total score for this criteria is:
Importance of criteria (2)xscore from criteria question (3) =total score (6)
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Design practical 1: Design 5
Feasibility:Ensures that these solutions are relatively easy to implement. Feasibility is an very important criteria
as solutions that are hard to implement will unlikely be used, thus it gets a value of 2.
Effectiveness:Evaluates the overall effectiveness of the solution to the problem at hand once it has been
implemented. It is also a basis of the design problem thus also gets a value of 2.
Solution 1: Plastics recycling in Japan
User Experience: (importance value= 2)
1) Are product symbols easy to understand for the consumer?
Score: 2 (medium)
Reason: Product symbols are easy to understandbut are partly written in a language, thus not effectively
communicating to those who do not speak the language.
2) Is the solution convenient and easy to use for the consumer?Score: 1 (low)
Reasons:This system has too many bins, making recycling more difficult as the number of categories of
recycling sorting can range from 5-44 (all-recycling-facts.com 2013). A Japanese native currently living in
Nagoya has also pointed out in an interview that there are too many rules to keep track of, discouraging
those who are not especially interested in the environment from recycling (Iwai 2013). Japans recycling laws
are enforced well due to Japans culture of cleanliness and cooperation of locals who constantly spy on
their neighbors recycling habits. This specific part of the solution may not work in a heterogeneous society
like Australia. Australians also see this as an invasion of their privacy, as only 22% of people surveyed said
that they would participate in such program. Saying this, people are willing to comply with being forced to
recycle properly as 74% of people surveyed said that they would a agree or strongly agree with a law that
forces people in Australia to do so.
Total score: (2x2) + (2x1)= 6
Economic Sustainability (Costs) (importance value = 2)
1) Will there be extra cost to the stakeholders?
Score: 1 (low)
Reasons:There would be extra cost for manufacturers to print labels on their products. This especially
pertains to products that are not directly printed on (ie: labels are printed on a plastic sheet stuck on the
product), as machines that print on various product shapes will have to be made. This may in may turn lead
to a price increase in certain products for consumers.More money will also have to be invested to developnew materials used to produce more products from recycled plastics, due to laws enforcing manufacturers to
take this step. There will also be a cost to pay people to design labels, and produce outreach material such as
guidelines (see more jobs needed below). Finally the cost of government to enforce laws, and cost of people
to ensure these laws are enforced may be high.
Total score: (2x1)= 2
Social Sustainability (Human resources and people) (importance value = 1)
1) Will this solution affect the job market positively?
Score: 3 (high)
Reasons:This solution will result in various job positions created. In the realm of science and technology,
higher paying jobs would be created to further techniques in creating goods made from recycling, in the
manufacturing business, people will be needed to print labels on the products, and in communications,
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Design practical 1: Design 6
designers will be needed to make clear symbols as well as give the public recycling guidelines.
2) Will solution be harmful to people in any way?
Score: 2 (medium)
Reasons:This solution will not be harmful to people in any way but it will not be particularly beneficial either.
Total score: (1x3) + (1x2)= 5
Environmental Sustainability (importance value = 1)
1) Will this solution affect the environment negatively in any way?
Score: 2 (medium)
Reasons: If the same inks are being used to print these symbols as other existing information on the product,
environmentally friendly inks may not be used. It would be hard for quality control unless it was made part of
the law. Some manufacturers who do not print on the actual product will have to get more machines made
to do this step, causing more environmental damage. On a positive note, there will be no extra waste added
to the product, as symbols are directly printed on them.
Total score: (1x2)= 2
Feasibility (importance value = 2)
1) Is this solution easy to implement?
Score: 1 (low)
Reasons: Implementing laws to require mandatory label printing and use of recycled materials in
manufacturing goods may take a lot of time and effort. Implementing such a law in Australia would require
the cooperation of the government to make big changes (which is unlikely in Australia, especially with the
current government) and pressuring manufacturers to spend more on new technology required to make
products from recycled material.
Also, asking people to participate in program that involves having someone look through their trash may be
difficult.
2) Are physical parts needed for solution easily made?
Score: 2 (medium)
Reasons:As mentioned before, it is easy to make the labels if the products already have images printed on
them directly, but if not, then printers may have to be made to print the labels specifically on the products.
Total score: (2x1) + (2x2)= 6
Effectiveness: (importance value = 2)
1) How effective will this system be if implemented?Score: 3 (high)
Reasons:This solution actually solves the problem of confusing recycling labels, given if everyone can read
the language contained in the recycling symbols. It would also increase the rate of recycling and decrease
the rate of improper recycling if the solution was implemented successfully.
2) Are there functional drawbacks that will impede the effectiveness of this solution?
Score: 2 (medium)
Reasons:The law obliging manufacturers to print labels work only for domestically manufactured products
thus only affecting domestic products as imported goods will not have these signs.
Total score: (2x3) + (2x2)= 10
Final overall score: 32
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Design practical 1: Design 7
Solution 2: Container depositing scheme
User Experience: (importance value = 2)
1) Are product symbols easy to understand for the consumer?
Score: 1 (low)
Reason:This solution does not give consumers easy to read recycling symbols, but rather just indicates the
products that could be put in the reverse vending machine.
2) Is the solution convenient and easy to use for the consumer?
Score: 2 (medium)
Reasons:The rewards system is straight forward and a good incentive psychologically, giving people money
for recycling their plastic bottles (even though the 10 cents was added to the cost of the product already).
However, users that I have interviewed have said that this solution is rather inconvenient. One user claimed
that recycling depots were open at odd hours which was not practical for those working full time jobs and
the amount of money people get back for the products was sometimes not worth the trip (Howard 2013).
Total score: (2x1) + (2x2)= 6
Economic Sustainability (Costs) (importance value = 2)
1) Will there be extra cost to the stakeholders?
Score: 1 (low)
Reasons:There will be added costs for implementing the scheme.In South Australia it is said to cost 1.4-1.7
billion AUD/year, mainly coming from private sector investment in building infrastructure depots to operate
the scheme (White 2013). If implemented nationwide there will also be added costs for people to pick up the
recycled plastic as well as additional costs for people keep the depots functioning.
Both kerbside recycling and depositing schemes will have to be maintained as only 25.9% of people
surveyed said that they would rather recycle their plastics in a container depositing depot than use the
current kerbside recycling system for plastics. This may not be cost efficient as additional trucks will be
needed to pick up from depositing stations as well as from kerbside recycling (Carter, Gross & Toscano 2013).
In Northern Territory, the container depositing scheme was abolished due to companies, namely Coca Cola,
Lion Nathan, and Schweppes taking legal action against the Northern Territory government and winning,
claiming that the adding of an extra 10 cents to their products was unfair to consumers. However, a surplus is
said to come with the scheme, as those who do not recycle their bottles in the deposit systems forfeits the 10
cents, which could be used towards more recycling (Angel et al 2012).
Total score: (2x1)= 2
Social Sustainability (Human resources and people) (importance value = 1)
1) Will this solution affect the job market positively?
Score: 3 (high)
Reason: UTS has estimated such a scheme can create up to 1500 new jobs (in collection depots, trucks
operations and maintenance of deposit machines) (Angel et al 2012). More jobs will be created as more
working hours will be needed for people to pick up the bottles from the depots and bring them to council
recycling depots. Jobs in finance and administration will be needed to make sure that funds given back to
the public are equal to or do not outweigh costs taken from them.
2) Will solution be harmful to people in any way?
Score: 3 (high)Reason:This solution is beneficial to lower income sectors of society and the homeless. According to an
interview subject who lived in South Australia, it was a way for people who had lower income or were
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Design practical 1: Design 8
homeless to make extra money by collecting a lot of cans. She often left cans out for them to be picked up
(Howard 2013).
Total score: (1x3) + (1x3)= 6
Environmental Sustainability (importance value = 1)
1) Will this solution affect the environment negatively in any way?Score: 1 (low)
Reasons: Numerous recycling depositing depots will need to be built, making this part of the solution
environmentally unfriendlyas plastics will need to be used to build these depositing stations. If made from
recycled plastics it would reduce the environmental impact. Extra trucks will be needed to pick up from the
recycling depots, effecting the environment negatively.
Total score: (1x1)= 1
Feasibility (importance value = 2)
1) Is this solution easy to implement?Score: 2 (medium)
Reason: Hundreds of deposit drop off points will need to be implemented in order for the scheme to work
well (Angel et al 2012).
2) Are physical parts needed for solution easily made?
Score: 1 (low)
Reasons:There will be some difficulty manufacturing these depositing depots as it is slightly more complex
than printing symbols.
Total score: (2x2) + (2x1) = 7
Effectiveness: (importance value = 2)
1) How effective will this system be if implemented?
Score: 1 (low)
Reasons:This solution is rather inefficient for the design problem as does not solve the problem of consumer
confusion in labeling. Also, less than half of people surveyed (44%) said that they would recycle more if this
system was implemented and subjects I have interviewed said that they stuck to kerbside recycling and
rarely used the container depositing scheme, citing inconvenience. Financial incentive is too low for most
people to make the extra effort.
2) Are there functional drawbacks that will impede the effectiveness of this solution?
Score: 2 (medium)
Reasons:This solution also only focuses on the recycling of limited plastics as it only affects drink bottles and
cans, not other plastic recyclables.
Total score: (2x1) + (2x2)= 6
Final overall score: 27
Solution #3: Sticker labeling system
User Experience: (importance value = 2)
1) Are product symbols easy to understand for the consumer?
Score: 3 (high)Reason:The sticker labeling will be same in all of Australia for easy in terms of consumer usage as stickers
will be easy to recognize. As mentioned earlier, the meaning of both stickers were very clear to most people
surveyed (refer to Annex A for the survey results).
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Design practical 1: Design 9
2) Is the solution convenient and easy to use for the consumer?
Score: 3 (high)
Reasons:Consumers do not have to make extra effort to recycle as there is very little change in consumer
behavior. This may be the solution closest to a nationwide consolidated recycling system without having
to make major changes as 89% of people surveyed have expressed that they would like a consolidated
recycling system in Australia.
Total score: (2x3) + (2x3)= 12
Economic Sustainability (Costs) (importance value = 2)
1) Will there be extra cost to the stakeholders?
Score: 1 (low)
Reasons:More taxes may be added in order for this solution to be implemented as stickers should be paid
by the government and shops/supermarket should probably be subsidized for the extra hours it takes to
implement the stickers. Manufacturing and distributing the stickers will cost money. The cost of making and
printing the stickers are low due to product material being cheap and stickers could be made from a singlesupplier, avoiding the extra costs to build large printing facilities and ensuring quality control. The cost of
distribution may be higher as transportation vehicles such as trains and trucks will be needed and multiple
smaller offices will be needed in order to distribute items locally after receiving stickers from the central
production center (maybe 1 or 2 near every big city).
The cost of extra human resources may also be high due to the amount of jobs created (see social
sustainability for outlines of jobs needed) and supermarkets may need to hire a few extra stock people to put
stickers on the products
Information for yje recycling potential of products will be all digital, lowering costs, but websites and
databases of recycled products will need to be set up.
Total score: (2x1)= 2
Social Sustainability (Human resources and people) (importance value = 1)
1) Will this solution affect the job market positively?
Score: 3 (high)
Reasons:This solution will create a wide variety of jobs that will be inclusive to women and men with
both high and low levels of education. It will need people to find out if products are recyclable, people
to set up the IT systems (website, support, plug in information for each council), more stock people to
implement these stickers in bigger shops, people to roll out communication, people to do the supply chain
management of the stickers, people to handle the logistics of distribution, people to handle the finances and
human resources to handle the workforce of this operation.2) Will solution be harmful to people in any way?
Score: 2 (medium)
Reasons:This solution will not be harmful to people in any way but it will not be particularly beneficial either.
Total score: (1x3) + (1x2)= 5
Environmental Sustainability (importance value = 1)
1) Will this solution affect the environment negatively in any way?
Score: 2 (medium)
Reasons:The sticker material will be environmentally friendly as it will made from recycled coated paper and
printed with vegetable inks. However, distribution of stickers will cause some environmental effects, due to
the harm caused by transportation vehicles. To minimize this effect, stickers can be delivered by rail to more
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Design practical 1: Design 10
cities, then only delivered by trucks when necessary. Also, the production of stickers will be continuous,
which will exhaust resources continually.
Total score: (1x2)= 2
Feasibility (importance value = 2)
1) Is this solution easy to implement?Score: 2 (medium)
Reasons:To make sure that shops/supermarkets comply, a law to enforce the sticker system may be needed,
which may take time and effort to implement. Identifying which products are recyclable will also be tedious
at first. Implementation will only affect shops and supermarkets, but not the user as change in consumer
behavior will be minimal, thus making easier to recycle. This solution will also work with current recycling
systems in Australia (ie: how different councils recycle differently), thus making it easier to implement than
changing the entire recycling system.
2) Are physical parts needed for solution easily made?
Score: 3 (high)
Reason: Stickers are easy to print and manufacture.
Total score: (2x2) + (2x3)= 10
Effectiveness: (importance value = 2)
1) How effective will this system be if implemented?
Score: 3 (high)
Reasons:If implemented properly, this solution will be very effective, as clear indications will help people
recycle properly.
2) Are there functional drawbacks that will impede the effectiveness of this solution?
Score: 1 (low)
Reasons:There will still be chance when people travel to different councils their products may not be
recyclable there. Also, products containing different plastics need more than one sticker.
Total score: (2x3) + (2x1)= 8
Final overall score: 39
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Design practical 1: Design 12
both solutions and eliminate parts that do not work. For example, utilizing the multiple disposal indications found
in solution 1 could solve the problem of recyclable products unrecyclable containing plastics. Part of solution
3 was also modified after the survey conducted showed that people had trouble understanding the do not
recycle symbol. I also thought about how the sticker would be used in different settings. This made me realize
that the sticker should also have a strong adhesive and have a waterproof coating to prevent it from peeling off or
deteriorating in wet situations (such as with washing, or condensation).
CONCLUSION
Based on the research, evaluation and analysis of different solutions to the design problem, I have concluded that
the sticker labeling system I formulated is the most fitting solution. The other two solutions, plastics recycling in
Japan and the container depositing scheme in South Australia although less viable solutions still have positive
effects and are operating smoothly in their respective locations. The evaluation may prove that the sticker labeling
system is the best solution but more product testing and changes may have to be made during the development
stage of this product. This solution aids in how we should appropriately deal with waste by making consumers
recycle properly without thinking. Hopefully this solution will solve one of many environmental problems we face,
leaving us room to focus on solving problems that aid to waste creation such our habit of over consuming, our
disposable culture and the manufacturers decision to overuse packaging.
What plastic products could look likewith revised recycling stickers.
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Design practical 1: Design 13
ANNEX A: SURVEY
This survey was taken by people in different parts of Australia. A total number of 28 people answered the survey.
Strongly agree (55.56%) Somewhat agree (33.33%) Neutral (3.7%)Somewhat disagree (0%) Strongly disagree (0%) Don t know (7.41%)
Strongly agree (48.15%) Somewhat agree (29.63%) Neutral (14.81%)Somewhat disagree (7.41%) Strongly disagree (0%) Don t know (0%)
Strongly agree (33.33%) Somewhat agree (40.74%) Neutral (14.81%)Somewhat disagree (3.7%) Strongly disagree (7.41%) Dont know (0%)
Strongly agree (59.26%) Somewhat agree (29.63%) Neutral (7.41%)Somewhat disagree (3.7%) Strongly disagree (0%) Dont know (0%)
Question 1
Australia should have one consolidated recyclingsystem.
Question 3I would recycle more if I had more guidance on howto recycle properly.
Question 2
Australia should have a law that forces people torecycle properly.
Question 2I would recycle more if I had more information onthe outcome of my products after I recycle them.
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Design practical 1: Design 14
Strongly agree (25.93%) Somewhat agree (29.63%) Neutral (25.93%)Somewhat disagree (11.11%) Strongly disagree (3.7%) Dont know (3.7%)
Strongly agree (14.81%) Somewhat agree (29.63%) Neutral (22.22%)Somewhat disagree (25.93%) Strongly disagree (7.41%) Dont know (0%)
Strongly agree (7.41%) Somewhat agree (14.81%) Neutral (25.93%)Somewhat disagree (25.93%) Strongly disagree (18.52%) Dont know (7.41%)
Strongly agree (7.41%) Somewhat agree (18.52%) Neutral (18.52%)Somewhat disagree (40.74%) Strongly disagree (11.11%) Dont know (3.7%)
Question 5I would participate in a programme that involvessorting my waste into 5 or more categories in order
to have a more effective recycling system.
Question 7
I would recycle more if I received 10 cents for everyplastic container I deposited in designated recyclingcentres even if it required more effort.
Question 6I would participate in a programme that includesmarking my kerbside waste bags with my contact
information and have a recycling police check themperiodically to make sure I was recycling properly.
Question 8
I would rather recycle my plastics in a containerdepositing depot (and receive 10 cents for everycontainer) than use the current kerbside recyclingsystem for plastics.
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Design practical 1: Design 15
Yes (44.44%) No (29.63%) Don't Know (25.93%)
Yes (96.3% ) No (0% ) Don't know (3.7% )
Yes (22.22%) No (70.37%) Don't know (7.41%)
Question 9Would you recycle this product?
Question 10Would you recycle this product?
Question 11Would you recycle this product?
* I was approached by the 3.7% (1 person) who answered dontknow. Apparently this person could not see the image on hisphone which resulted in such answer.
*This was to show that without any indication stickers,people are confused whether the product is recyclable, asa large percentage answered dont know.
*This indicated that product needs to be redesignedas people still seem confused whether this productis recyclable or not.
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Design practical 1: Design 16
ANNEX B: INTERVIEWS
Interview with Asuka, Japanese resident from Nagoya
Q: Can you tell me about your daily recycling routine of plastics is usually in Japan? (ie- do you recycle most of your
plastic? All in one container? Or multiple containers?)
Asuka: After we use plastics, we put them in designated garbage bags of each city and take away outside
of each place once a week. If the plastics were dirty like food dishes, we have to rinse them. If it s hassle toclean them up, actually we can put them in burnable garbage bags. Or, there are some bins include plastics,
bottles, caps and cartons in almost all supermarkets. We sometimes bring recyclable things and put into bins
so that we can reduce our home garbage a little.
Q: Do you find it straightforward to recycle in Japan? Are recycling labels easy to read?
Asuka: Its too complicated for us to recycle. Ive never thought of labels which means. Its ok to read, I guess.
Q: I heard there are 10 different compartments to sort your trash, and a 27 page guide on how to recycle properly.
Is this true? Do you use it?Asuka: 10 different... Yes, I think so. But almost all people separate just burnable, nonburnable and plastics.
There are citys free monthly magazine, it includes the guide but its too detail to understand. I dont think
citizens read it and doing it.
Q: What area do you currently live in?
Asuka: I live in Nagoya.
Q: How many categories of waste do you have in your area? How many of those are for plastic recycling?
Asuka: Do not know. I think its five, one of those is for plastic recycling.
Q: Do you think recycling works well in Japan? (Maybe compared to Canada?) If so, why do you think it works?
Asuka: They say recycling is important, but we dont know where after recycling properties go. Thats why we
dont find its serious, we just do it as a routine. Just separate them correctly because we want them to pick
our garbage up. But compared with Canada, weve try to aware the importance. I didnt separate anything
in Canada (which surprised me and it was actually very easy and convenient!). Do you know the saying,
Mottainai? We usually hesitate to go junk, so we hope some small pieces will recycle and reuse in the future
So I think all we need is a clear guideline and government should let us know how recycling things work in
the future.
Interview with Angela and Elise, former residents of South Australia
Q: Did South Australia have kerbside recycling for plastics as well as the container depositing scheme? If so, which
one did you use more often to recycle your plastic drink bottles? (kerbside more, container depositing more, or
same amount for both?)
Angela: Yes it did, we always used kerbside.
Elise: We had kerbside recycling for plastics and I used that far more than the container depositing scheme.
Q: Did you find the container depositing scheme useful?
Angela: It was used more by people short on money, quite often there would be homeless folk with trolleys
full & older pensioner types collecting from peoples roadside using a bike with a basket. So potentially usefulbut only really enticed those low on cash.
Elise: I only used the container deposit scheme when we had a big party and there were lots of empty drink
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Design practical 1: Design 17
containers. Otherwise, I didnt really collect the cash, especially since it was only 5c when I lived in SA.
Q: Did you find the scheme easy to use, and convenient?
Angela: No it was quite far away from our home, and open odd hours so not practical for people working full
time - we quite often figured the time spent to take our $1.35 worth out there wasnt worth it, though people
with a whole trolley would have more incentive! I always thought it was nicer to leave it out for the old man
with the bike who came past our street!
Elise: It wasnt that convenient, I guess thats why I didnt take bottles more often. I just recycled them as
normal, without collecting the coin.
Q: Did you and people you know use it very often?
Angela: No
Elise: Nope didnt use it that often. I think its a really great thing though, especially for homeless people who
can collect bottles or cans and earn some money.
Q: How did you dispose of your other recyclable plastics?Angela: Roadside collection
Elise: Using our rubbish bin. In SA we had special garbage bins where we filled half with normal rubbish and
the other half with recyclable items. The garbage collectors would ensure that the recyclables were collected
together and the garbage was collected together.
Q: Would you like this scheme implemented in Perth? Or would you prefer a different recycle scheme from your
current one in WA?
Angela: No, I think people are lazy and it really isnt much of a financial incentive for most people. I would
prefer a more separate roadside bin system, Melbourne has paper / glass & cans / green all separate which is
what I was used to so we had dividing bins inside the house too to make it all easy.Elise: I think it would be nice to spread this scheme to other locations.
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Design practical 1: Design 18
ANNEXC:CU
STOMERJOURNEYMAP
Customers&
Stakeholders
Councils
Recyclingcentr
es
Government
Shops/supermarkets
Stockworkers
Users(consumers)
Shop
ping
forproduct
Anxiety
Overw
helmed
Happy
Positiv
e
Nothing
Supe
rmarket
Shop
Website
Responsible
Contemplative
Indecisive
Decisive
Product
Pricetag
Productinfo
Productlabel
onbottom
Responsible
Contemplative
Indecisive
Decisive
Confusion
Cont
emplative
Indecisive
DecisiveH
ome
Outdoors
Work
School
Checkmaterial,
price,qualityand
labels
B
uying
p
roduct
Satisfaction
Cashier
Satisfaction
Home
Fridge
Cupboard
Bag
Sa
tisfaction
Product
Website
Binlabels
Callcouncil
Bringing
itemhome
Storag
e
of
product
Use
product
Check
productlabel
Recycle
Throwin
wastebin
Wastefu
l
Defeate
d
Responsible
Satisfied
Happy
Responsible
Wastebin
Averagerecycler
livinginAustralia
Likes
itwhenthings
aree
asytouse
Does
ntconsciously
think
ofrecycling
Wouldnottake
extra
stepstoseek
outifitemsare
recyclablewhen
confusedandeither
throwitem
inthe
wastebinorrecycle
boxblindly
Japaneseplastics
recyclingsy
stem
Swissmulti
-bin
recyclingsy
stem
Container
depositing
scheme
Puttingsim
ple
labelsonproducts
thatcanbe
implemented
independentlyand
easily
BenA.
Ideas
Pers
ona
Touchdowns Actions Mindset
Recyclingbin
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BIBLIOGRAPHY
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.
Borrelle, J 2013, Container deposit schemes work and thats what matters,Australian Conservation Foundation,
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METI-integratedindicationII [image], inJapans Recycling Pictures, All-recycling-facts.com 2013, accessed 21 August
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.
White, D 2013, Container deposit laws: cleaner, more sustainable, The Conversation,10 July, accessed 2 September
2013, .