On May 31, I presented our first study for INCREACE at the PLATE2023 conference in Helsinki. Our paper focuses on how to design effective collection solutions to keep electronics at their highest value and utility over time by closing the loop from a consumer perspective.
Our study explores the present situation of Design for Divestment (i.e., the phase following the purchase and use phases) in theory and practice and identifies knowledge gaps. Tim de Ruiter and I reviewed divestment literature and interviewed OEMs and PROs to find out how the collection of e-waste is designed.
Key insights
💡 For collection solutions to be an integral part of the customer journey, benefits of take-back programmes should be substantiated for companies.
💡 Consumers should be engaged in the design process at a deeper level (beyond interviews and observations!).
💡 There is no universal factor to guide people towards collection solutions. Experiment with design interventions (e.g. service, hardware, software, collection point, communication) at a small scale and iterate to find the right fit for the community.
💡 Current Design for Divestment literature can be used as a base (e.g. models, behaviour change approaches, emerging tools including the Canvas for Consumer Endings and Off-Boarding by Joe Macleod, and design principles).
💡 Learn from design methods employed during the purchase and use phases.
Design for Divestment research is at an early stage of development, but there is a foundation in theory and practice to be leveraged. It needs to be further deepened, diversified and consolidated. Looking forward to the next step of this project!
Flora Poppelaars
Our study explores the present situation of Design for Divestment (i.e., the phase following the purchase and use phases) in theory and practice and identifies knowledge gaps. Tim de Ruiter and I reviewed divestment literature and interviewed OEMs and PROs to find out how the collection of e-waste is designed.
Key insights
💡 For collection solutions to be an integral part of the customer journey, benefits of take-back programmes should be substantiated for companies.
💡 Consumers should be engaged in the design process at a deeper level (beyond interviews and observations!).
💡 There is no universal factor to guide people towards collection solutions. Experiment with design interventions (e.g. service, hardware, software, collection point, communication) at a small scale and iterate to find the right fit for the community.
💡 Current Design for Divestment literature can be used as a base (e.g. models, behaviour change approaches, emerging tools including the Canvas for Consumer Endings and Off-Boarding by Joe Macleod, and design principles).
💡 Learn from design methods employed during the purchase and use phases.