Through research for the previous posts, there is a clear realisation that there are a lot of organic waste management campaigns existing in Australia but are not promoted and/or regulated enough to make a habit out of our daily lives. My proposal, rather than targeting the promotion of campaigns, is to focus on the idea of habits. It is said that every habit has a 3 step pattern known as the 3 R’s: Reminder, Routine and Reward. (James Clear, 2013)
My proposal is to design an interactive and/or responsive garbage bin that is very similar to the ‘Wai Shower’ (which is an interactive shower system that manages shower efficiency) (James Dyson Foundation, 2016) and the ‘Envirobank Reverse Vending Machine’ (which rewards for recycling) (Envirobank, 2011) This bin will use the average general waste and organic waste ratios and household family members to give specific responses to the users. The bin could have weight sensors to determine what is being put in, and through this responsive lights and vocal reply can be made to give the user small information about organic waste and how much landfill and money they have saved. Of course such responses shouldn’t be made at a regular basis but when a certain target weight or time is met as to not cause too much annoyance or discomfort to the user. So how does this relate to habits?
Reminder
Firstly, this design proposal is constantly giving routinely reminders to the user for what they are wasting and recycling which will give them a good understanding of and make a habit out of the way they throw their waste. Such reminders will be good for adults to mend their old habits but also to help children raise good habits for waste disposal.
Routine
Placing these bins in various locations will give everyone a routine to follow that does not just involve the home so that wherever you go, your habit will follow. Basically putting these bins in places that produce more organic waste than most and some of these locations include university workplaces, restaurants, parks and beach. Having made habits through that, we start to do the same thing for places with these interactive bins such as gyms, toilets and libraries. In the case of children, they should start obtaining the concept of organic waste management during preschool as it is the time that most of their habits are formed, e.g.; learning to communicate in certain ways, developing friendships, understanding when to speak and understanding patience. Developing a new habit is always easier than mending an old habit thus we should always know to start young.
Reward
With the responses given, there should be a balance between good and bad commentary to give the user a sense of satisfaction when specific targets are met. This balance will encourage users to be more cooperative and initiative even outside the household which will eventually turn into a lasting sub-conscious habit.
Reference
Envirobank. 2011, What Is an Envirobank Reverse Vending Machine?, viewed 14 June 2016,
< http://www.envirobank.com.au/reverse-vending-machine/>
James Clear. 2013, The 3 R’s of Habit Change: How to Start New Habits That Actually Stick, viewed 14 June 2016, <http://jamesclear.com/three-steps-habit-change>
James Dyson Foundation, Wai: interactive Shower System, viewed 14 June 2016,<http://www.jamesdysonaward.org/projects/wai-interactive-shower-system/>
Wealth From Waste 