Duration: 2 months (simultaneously with 2 other uni subjects)
Team: me and two fellow students
My contribution: Concept, Playing cards, Card spitter build
This project aimed to build incentive to properly recycle batteries, instead of throwing them in the trash. This is due to batteries containing chemicals that contaminate our waste, pollute the environment and can cause catastrophic fires, while at the same time ending the material loop when it is not recycled properly. Our main goal was to upgrade the recycling stations, so that they provided incentive to be used and a reminder to bring the old batteries from home.
The reason why children were targeted, was partly because of their ability to influence their family in sustainable practices. Secondly, since most recycling stations are present in a store context, which is often a stressful experience for parents with children, we could provide a stress reliever for the parents by entertaining the child and by giving children a part of the shopping that they are in charge of.
This project explored the integration between gamification and environmental education, by developing a reward system. The machine includes an interactive game, playing cards to bring home, as well as educational value and visual rewards. Here is a breakdown on how the machine is made.
Photos from the exhibition at RMIT University Melbourne City Campus.
The project successfully demonstrated that gamification and reward-based systems can significantly enhance engagement in recycling activities. Feedback from trials indicated a high level of enthusiasm, from all ages, suggesting the potential for broader implementation than purely for children. All ages like fun!
