IH02-YangHung
From IEOR 170 Spring 2007
Contents |
[edit] Problem Overview
As the world’s population grows exponentially, there will be fewer and fewer available resources per person. Therefore, it becomes imperative that recycling becomes a higher priority. The recycling process consists of three steps: collection and processing, remanufacturing, and purchasing recycled products. My project will focus on the collection part of the recycling process. My goal is to make a game that makes recycling fun and interactive while at the same time encouraging more people to recycle. I think using a game as a theme will be an important factor in providing incentive.
[edit] Target User Group
Using a game setting will appeal to both young people and older people. However, the focus will be on younger people since encouraging them to recycle at a younger age will increase the chance that they will keep their recycling habits later on in life.
[edit] Problem Context and Forces
According to the EPA, the United States recycles about 34% of all plastic soft drink bottles and 45% of all aluminum beer and soft drink cans. This means that there is still ample room to encourage more recycling so that the US can strive for at least 50% recyclable materials. The main problem with recycling soft drink bottles and cans is that unless there is a convenient location when a user is finished drinking, they will most likely just throw the can or bottle in the trash can. While having more recycling centers might increase the percentage of recycling, the methods employed right now (i.e. a five cent CRV) do not provide enough incentive for busy people. If recycling were made into a game, it will give people incentive as well as provide a recreational opportunity.
[edit] Proposed Solution
My solution will be a modified slot machine. However, instead of putting in money as credits, a user will put in his / her used can or bottle in the machine. This machine will probably be too cost prohibitive to put at every corner with a recycling trash can, but can be deployed at high volume areas such as supermarkets and recycling centers. This machine will hopefully increase the number of people who go to recycling centers and thus increase the public’s awareness about recycling. The key part to this game is that the cash reward will be random for each person that plays instead of the current method of five cents for each person. This will increase the excitement factor and make recycling more fun.
[edit] Solution Sketch
