Bluecycle
DESIGN ETHICS | 2018
Press Release
Mayor de Blasio announced on October 10th, 2017 that New York city will roll out single-stream recycling by 2020 as part of a larger plan to speed up the reduction of greenhouse gases. Under the plan, New Yorkers will no longer need to sort their recyclables, “dramatically increasing the city’s recycling rate,” de Blasio said.
However, single-stream recycling in New York expects to cause additional problems while not solving current existing issues of dual-stream recycling. Instead of single-stream recycling, New York should have a new recycling system that would solve the current issues of recycling.
Every time New Yorkers buy groceries, all of the recycle materials that are part of their grocery will be saved in the application. After they are done using the recyclable materials, they will throw them in the vending machine instead of the recycling bin. By scanning the barcode, either the door for metal, plastic, glass or paper will open up, which would lower the rate of materials ending up in the wrong bin significantly. New Yorkers will be able to track these recyclable materials and actually see with their own eyes where they are taken to be recycled and see the full process of recycling just like tracking a package. After they are fully recycled and ready to be used again, they will add up as points which will be used same as cash once you collect certain amount of points.
One of the reasons New York City has such a low recycling rate is because trash are not thrown away properly. Recycling materials either end up in the non-recycling bin or get contaminated by ‘garbage’ that are thrown in the recycling bin. Therefore, only 17% of the total waste is being recycled which is half of what they could be recycling under the current program. The problem with single-stream recycling is that it only works when people recycle properly. Without figuring out a way to make New Yorkers throw away the trash properly, it would only make the situation worse. Also since materials like glass, which has the highest recycling rate currently, often break during collection and sorting, recycling rate are likely to go down.
Instead of single-stream recycling, the new recycling system is expected to solve current issues of recycling while enhancing the experience of recycling in New York. The new recycling system makes recycling easier and more interesting for New Yorkers, expecting to rise the recycling rate up to 34% eventually. Along with the system, new recycling vending machines and an application will help New Yorkers to recycle properly and enjoyably.
Mayor de Blasio announced on October 10th, 2017 that New York city will roll out single-stream recycling by 2020 as part of a larger plan to speed up the reduction of greenhouse gases. Under the plan, New Yorkers will no longer need to sort their recyclables, “dramatically increasing the city’s recycling rate,” de Blasio said.
However, single-stream recycling in New York expects to cause additional problems while not solving current existing issues of dual-stream recycling. Instead of single-stream recycling, New York should have a new recycling system that would solve the current issues of recycling.
Every time New Yorkers buy groceries, all of the recycle materials that are part of their grocery will be saved in the application. After they are done using the recyclable materials, they will throw them in the vending machine instead of the recycling bin. By scanning the barcode, either the door for metal, plastic, glass or paper will open up, which would lower the rate of materials ending up in the wrong bin significantly. New Yorkers will be able to track these recyclable materials and actually see with their own eyes where they are taken to be recycled and see the full process of recycling just like tracking a package. After they are fully recycled and ready to be used again, they will add up as points which will be used same as cash once you collect certain amount of points.
One of the reasons New York City has such a low recycling rate is because trash are not thrown away properly. Recycling materials either end up in the non-recycling bin or get contaminated by ‘garbage’ that are thrown in the recycling bin. Therefore, only 17% of the total waste is being recycled which is half of what they could be recycling under the current program. The problem with single-stream recycling is that it only works when people recycle properly. Without figuring out a way to make New Yorkers throw away the trash properly, it would only make the situation worse. Also since materials like glass, which has the highest recycling rate currently, often break during collection and sorting, recycling rate are likely to go down.
Instead of single-stream recycling, the new recycling system is expected to solve current issues of recycling while enhancing the experience of recycling in New York. The new recycling system makes recycling easier and more interesting for New Yorkers, expecting to rise the recycling rate up to 34% eventually. Along with the system, new recycling vending machines and an application will help New Yorkers to recycle properly and enjoyably.
Click on ! to find out how it works
STEP 1
Scan the barcode after you purchare your groceries.
You can check your recent purchase anytime.
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STEP 2
Scan the barcode and put your recyclables in to the vending machine.
Don’t forget to check out fun facts about recycling.
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STEP 3
Track your recyclables anytime.
Find out where they are, what stage they are at and what products they turn into.
![]()
Scan the barcode after you purchare your groceries.
You can check your recent purchase anytime.
STEP 2
Scan the barcode and put your recyclables in to the vending machine.
Don’t forget to check out fun facts about recycling.
STEP 3
Track your recyclables anytime.
Find out where they are, what stage they are at and what products they turn into.
Check your recyclable rates on the main screen
Plastic Recycling Rate
Paper Recycling Rate
Metal Recycling Rate
Glass Recycling Rate
Use the credits you earned through recycling when you buy groceries by simply scanning the barcode.
Check the locations and the availability of the recycling vending machines .
Build your own recycling island using your recyclables
Recycling Machine Prototype
