myecoapp: A Successful Phase 1 in Driving Household Recycling Innovation

At myecoapp, we believe that technology has the power to change behaviours and inspire action for a more sustainable future. That belief led us to compete in the SBRI competition: Increasing Household Recycling Practice through the Novel Use of Persuasive Technologies, and in November 2023, we were delighted to be announced as winners!

Kicking Off the Journey

Our project officially started on 27th November 2023, followed by an official project kick-off meeting on 4th December 2023. This was a fantastic opportunity to engage with our project sponsors, DAERA and Fermanagh and Omagh District Council, as well as representatives from the Strategic Investment Board, NILGA, and local Climate Change leaders. During this session, we explored key objectives, alignment with government sustainability goals, and existing technological infrastructure. We also discussed major challenges in household recycling and how our app could help bridge the gaps.

Milestone-Driven Progress

Milestone 1 – Market Research and User Insights

Our first major milestone involved conducting an in-depth Market Analysis and Requirements Gathering. We:

• Interviewed potential users to understand recycling behaviours and motivations
• Analysed competitor apps to identify gaps and opportunities
• Compiled user requirements to shape our app’s features

The insights gained were invaluable, highlighting key user priorities and the need for an intuitive, rewarding experience to drive sustained engagement with recycling.

Milestone 2 – Prototype Development & Research

Building on our findings, we moved into the Prototype Development phase, focusing on UI mockups and initial feature implementation. We also explored the feasibility of image recognition technology to help users effortlessly categorise recyclables using AI-powered scanning. By 31st January 2024, we delivered an interim presentation, presenting key reports on core market analysis, user needs, and technical feasibility for image recognition integration.

Milestone 3 – User Testing and Refinement

User feedback is at the heart of our development process. In Milestone 3, we conducted user testing, gathering critical insights on how to enhance our app’s UI and functionality. A key highlight was our visit to the Bawnacre Centre in Irvinestown on 7th February 2024, where we received direct feedback from local users. Comments such as “Being able to scan multiple items is essential”, “Vouchers would make me return to the app”, and “Features have to be one click away” reinforced the importance of seamless user experience. A particularly exciting moment was meeting students from St. Kevin’s Secondary School in Lisnaskea. Their enthusiasm and innovative ideas emphasised the vital role of young people and schools in driving behavioural change in recycling habits. This inspired us to arrange a follow-up visit to gather further insights from a larger group of students.

Milestone 4 – Refinement and Feasibility Study

For our final milestone, we compiled a Refinement and Feasibility Report, outlining the final UI and functionality decisions for Phase 1. We also produced a technical feasibility report to ensure that our technology choices aligned with real-world application needs.

A Strong Finish at The Grange, Omagh

Our Phase 1 journey concluded with a final presentation at the Fermanagh and Omagh District Council offices at The Grange in Omagh. The event, attended by DAERA, SIB, SBRI, local council representatives, and recycling experts, provided a fantastic platform to showcase our Proof of Concept. The overwhelming interest and engaging discussions reaffirmed our belief that myecoapp has the potential to make a real impact on recycling behaviour across Northern Ireland. The positive reception also strengthened our position as we applied for Phase 2 of the project. We have now officially submitted our application for the next phase, where we aim to develop a fully functional app, expand our user testing, and enhance the technological features to maximise impact.

What’s Next?

We are excited about what the future holds for myecoapp. With the knowledge and insights gained from Phase 1, we are now focused on advancing our technology, refining our features, and expanding our engagement with local communities. A huge thank you to our project sponsors, partners, and all the individuals who provided invaluable feedback. Stay tuned for more updates as we continue our mission to revolutionise recycling practices through innovation! Want to stay updated on myecoapp’s progress? Follow us for the latest news and developments as we work towards a greener future!