SF Zero Waste, by Team Zero-Waste, tackles San Francisco’s confusing recycling process.

Taking out the trash should be a no-brainer. Instead, it is a confusing chore with a steep learning curve. Worse, experience with any particular trash can in any given locality in no way translates to an understanding of any other receptacle — so essentially, you start from scratch with each candy wrapper. Confusion could be easily remedied by the creation and implementation of universally-recognized color- and shape-driven iconog­raphy onto the cans themselves, coordinated with matching product packaging standards. Introducing the SF Zero Waste Recycling Bin: By making things simple, interactive and consistent, we can provide much better engagement and efficacy in our recycling process.

This project is a response to GOOD Magazine’s design challenge to Academy of Art University students as part of its ongoing Ideas for Cities initiative. Each student team utilized the Living Principles framework and scorecard to guide and evaluate their efforts.

Team Zero-Waste: Anh Pham, Caroline Saridewi, Elliott Tran

Course: R3 Lab (BFA)

Instructor: Tom Sieu, Instructor, Academy of Art University School of Graphic Design

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