Outcome
Outcome
Outcome
We delivered a mobile platform that helps users sort waste correctly and build sustainable habits. It features an intuitive search tool, progress tracking, and impact visualization, making sustainability simple, engaging, and accessible.
We delivered a mobile platform that helps users sort waste correctly and build sustainable habits. It features an intuitive search tool, progress tracking, and impact visualization, making sustainability simple, engaging, and accessible.
View our Case Study!
View our Case Study!
View our prototype!
We provided a social platform with 5 key features gamify storytelling and information exchange, VR integration facilities hands-on ways for users to play and learn together, and a Net Promoter Score of 56 reflects high satisfaction among users testers.
Role
Role
Role
UNT Dining
UNT Dining
UNT Dining
Duration
Duration
Duration
UNT Dining is the Largest self-supported college food service in North Texas serving over 2.2 million meals annually.
UNT Dining is the Largest self-supported college food service in North Texas serving over 2.2 million meals annually.
UNT Dining is the Largest self-supported college food service in North Texas serving over 2.2 million meals annually.
UX/UI Designer & Prototyper
UX/UI Designer & Prototyper
UX/UI Designer & Prototyper
4 Months
4 Months
4 Months
The Problem
The Problem
The Approach
The Approach
What We Delivered
What We Delivered
The Impact
The Impact
Campuses throw out more than 22 million pounds of food each year.
Campuses throw out more than 22 million pounds of food
each year
Food waste is a costly waste from universities, students, and cities
Food waste is a costly waste from universities, students, and cities
We went inside the Denton's Recycling Center to better understand the system and the underlying issue
We went inside the Denton's Recycling Center to better understand the system and the underlying issue
We also went inside a dining hall with the dining hall director
We also went inside a dining hall with the dining hall director
We produced 144 ideas in total in 3 springs through the Crazy-8's method. We sorted by possible solutions, smart trashcans, and how the system works.
We produced 144 ideas in total in 3 sprints through the Crazy-8's method. We sorted by possible solutions, smart trashcans, and how the system works.
We introduced a Smart Trashcan System and created concepts & sketches for system
We produced 144 ideas in total in 3 sprints through the Crazy-8's method. We sorted by possible solutions, smart trashcans, and how the system works.
By implementing these measures, universities can effectively decrease overproduction and associated costs related to food, labor, and dining expenses. Moreover, reducing post-consumption food waste allows dining halls to operate more efficiently, potentially leading to cost savings.
We produced 144 ideas in total in 3 sprints through the Crazy-8's method. We sorted by possible solutions, smart trashcans, and how the system works.
This, in turn, can result in more affordable meal plans, addressing food insecurity, and encouraging students who do not currently have a meal plan to consider purchasing one.
Ultimately, every student deserves access to nutritious meals, and these efforts contribute to that goal.
We produced 144 ideas in total in 3 sprints through the Crazy-8's method. We sorted by possible solutions, smart trashcans, and how the system works.
We developed Smart Trashcan Prototype and Integrated the system into the new UNT App & Features
We produced 144 ideas in total in 3 sprints through the Crazy-8's method. We sorted by possible solutions, smart trashcans, and how the system works.
Students would check in a dining hall
We produced 144 ideas in total in 3 sprints through the Crazy-8's method. We sorted by possible solutions, smart trashcans, and how the system works.
Students would scan the Smart Trashcan, throw their waste, and the app measures the weight of the waste
We produced 144 ideas in total in 3 sprints through the Crazy-8's method. We sorted by possible solutions, smart trashcans, and how the system works.
Students would receive incentives that could be school benefits, coupons, or flex dollars (money that students can use to purchase food from retail stores
We produced 144 ideas in total in 3 sprints through the Crazy-8's method. We sorted by possible solutions, smart trashcans, and how the system works.
Derrick Cripps
Derrick Cripps
When food goes to waste, the land, water, and animal feed used to grow that food is also wasted
Colleges spend about $34,903,125 per year on raw ingredients, labor, and overhead. It's increasing annually
Students on dining plans often don't use all their meals, losing remaining funds on their cards each semester
That food waste is equivalent to 400 shipping containers filled to the brim.
That food waste is equivalent to 400 shipping containers filled to the brim.
That food waste is equivalent to 400 shipping containers filled to the brim
Wasted Resources
Possible Solutions
Smart Trashcan
How the system works
Inventory Cost
Students Losing Funds
Student Losing Funds
Source: Brown Daily Herald (2023)
Source: NJ (2024)
Source: NJ (2024)
Food waste is a costly waste from universities, students, and cities.
Inventory Cost
Source: Brown Daily Herald (2023)
Source: NJ (2024)
Wasted Resources
When food goes to waste, the land, water, and animal feed used to grow that food is
also wasted
Student Losing Funds
Source: NJ (2024)
Colleges spend about $34,903,125 per year on raw ingredients, labor, and overhead. It's increasing annually
Source: Brown Daily Herald (2023)
Wasted Resources
When food goes to waste, the land, water, and animal feed used to grow that food is
also wasted
Inventory Cost
Source: NJ (2024)
Colleges spend about $34,903,125 per year on raw ingredients, labor, and overhead. It's increasing annually
Source: NJ (2024)
Students on dining plans often don't use all their meals, losing remaining funds on their cards each semester.
Inside the Denton's Recycling Center to better understand the system and the underlying issue
There is a lack of education system on recycling at UNT
Students have trouble sorting waste into correct trashcans
Lack of existing technology to help facilitate recycling service
There is a lack of education system on recycling at UNT
Students have trouble sorting waste into correct trashcans
Lack of existing technology to help facilitate recycling service
Students on dining plans often don't use all their meals, losing remaining funds on their cards each semester.
There is a lack of education system on recycling
at UNT
Students have trouble sorting waste into
correct trashcans
Lack of existing technology to help facilitate
recycling service
Derrick Cripps
Inside a dining hall with the dining hall director
Targeting Topics:
Food waste reducing strategy
Confusion at the disposing area
Inventory system
No post-consumer waste management
Students take more than what they need
lack of educational system
No infrastructure in place for composting
The useless of "Napkins Only" sign
Targeting Topics:
Food waste reducing strategy
Confusion at the disposing area
Inventory system
No post-consumer waste management
Students take more than what they need
lack of educational system
No infrastructure in place for composting
The useless of "Napkins Only" sign
No post-consumer waste management
Students take more than what they need
lack of educational system
No infrastructure in place for composting
The useless of "Napkins Only" sign
Targeting Topics:
Food waste reducing strategy
Confusion at the disposing area
Inventory system
Our team posed the question:
How might we help dining halls change student behavior to make students only take what they need in order to reduce post-consumer food waste?
Our team posed the question:
How might we help dining halls change student behavior to make students only take what they need in order to reduce post-consumer food waste?
Inventory Cost
Based on technological constraint and existing robotic systems, we moved forward with Smart Trash Can and Food Waste Tracking System.
Based on technological constraint and existing robotic systems, we moved forward with Smart Trash Can and Food Waste Tracking System.
Based on technological constraint and existing robotic systems, we moved forward with Smart Trash Can and Food Waste Tracking System.
We introduced a Smart Trashcan System and created concepts & sketches for out system
We introduced a Smart Trashcan System
We produced 144 ideas in total in 3 sprints through the Crazy-8's method. We sorted by possible solutions, smart trashcans, and how the system works.
Students would scan the Smart Trashcan, throw their waste, and the app measures the weight of the waste
Students would receive incentives that could be school benefits, coupons, or flex dollars (money that students can use to purchase food from retail stores
Students would scan the Smart Trashcan, throw their waste, and the app measures the weight of the waste
Students would check in a dining hall
We developed Smart Trashcan Prototype and Integrated the system into the new UNT App & Features
We developed Smart Trashcan Prototype and Integrated the system into the new UNT App & Features
Students would check in a dining hall
Students would receive incentives that could be school benefits, coupons, or flex dollars (money that students can use to purchase food from retail stores
This, in turn, can result in more affordable meal plans, addressing food insecurity, and encouraging students who do not currently have a meal plan to consider purchasing one.
Ultimately, every student deserves access to nutritious meals, and these efforts contribute to that goal.
This, in turn, can result in more affordable meal plans, addressing food insecurity, and encouraging students who do not currently have a meal plan to consider purchasing one.
Ultimately, every student deserves access to nutritious meals, and these efforts contribute to that goal.
Enhancing Accessibility & Inclusion on The Arc of DFW (2024)
Redesigned a nonprofit site to enhance accessibility, reduce maintenance workload, and scale with the organization.
Connecting families and sharing stories through VR/AR with Sacred Roots (2024)
Created an XR-VR powered social platform to help connect and empower Native Americans to connect communities.
Explore my other works!
Enhancing Accessibility & Inclusion on The Arc of DFW (2024)
Redesigned a nonprofit site to enhance accessibility, reduce maintenance workload, and scale with the organization.
Connecting families and sharing stories through VR/AR with Sacred Roots (2024)
Created an XR-VR powered social platform to help connect and empower Native Americans to connect communities.
Student Losing Funds
Explore my other works!
Possible Solutions
Smart Trashcan
How the system works
Possible Solutions
Smart Trashcan
How the system works
By implementing these measures, universities can effectively decrease overproduction and associated costs related to food, labor, and dining expenses. Moreover, reducing post-consumption food waste allows dining halls to operate more efficiently, potentially leading to cost savings.