Final Product

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Our user test results demonstrate that consumers need to recycle their excess clothes. Still, the recycling process is uncertain regarding where the items are recycled and how different brands support sustainability efforts as their brand persona. During our interviews, we also identified that some consumers avoid recycling their excess clothes due to the lack of transportation assistance and the time needed to find the right recycling places for the items they want to give away. Another group of interviewees also did not trust the recycling places because they thought their items would go in the landfills regardless. Consumers aren’t aware of what recycling options would be best suited for their excess clothes and how they can benefit from recycling branded items. Some brands don’t advertise their recycling programs and the benefits that exist for consumers who recycle their items. Consumers are more likely to recycle if they are incentivized in some way. 

Recycle Me provides a personalized recycling service to the consumers on the platform. Consumers can answer a short survey that collects information about the type of textile they want to recycle and its condition (options are new, lightly, and heavily used). They also can scan a tag (in-store or already bought) to match that specific brand's recycling options. After they pick a recycling program from their matches, finding a recycle spot on our platform allows the consumer to input a pickup and the location of their match to receive transportation assistance. All the matches provide the best recycling option based on the consumer's current location and the item they want to recycle. Once the driver picks the items, they get assigned an order number. The order number is to help track the items. Consumers can see if their items were delivered at the right location and where the organization/brand shipped the recycled items. 

Our platform also provides a world map that puts a marker on the map where items were shipped to allow the consumers to see their recycling stories and share them with their friends and family to encourage them to join sustainable efforts like theirs. Additionally, brands/organizations will provide incentives to the consumers who go through the process of recycling clothes. The incentive varies depending on the matches. Some brands will provide rewards points that can be used to redeem points at their stores for discounts, or they can redeem their points at local restaurants that support sustainable efforts in fashion. 

As a result, five main features of this platform are: get matched, delivery service, recycle story, connect to community, and redeem rewards.