Simple Swaps
This project offers an opportunity to enhance the perception of our
habitat, since the consequences of our daily consumption aren’t transparent and are seldomly questioned.
This project offers an opportunity to enhance the perception of our
habitat, since the consequences of our daily consumption aren’t transparent and are seldomly questioned.
It is not easy for us end-users to find out under which conditions our products were developed. Furthermore, we usually do not know what happens to our plastic waste and assume that most of it will be recycled. A large amount of our waste is shipped to countries, which we blame for the plastic problem. People on the other side of the world, e.g. Malaysia, have to deal with our trash. Since the import stop of China in 2017, the topic has become more and more present in media and people's minds. No other topic affected the 2019 European elections as much as the environmental issue.
I’ve learned that you are never
too small to make a difference.
Plastic waste, that ends up in nature, is dangerous for the animal world and as a consequence also for us as human beings. We think that each individual can contribute to slow down the existing plastic problem through small steps and changes. Our aim is to reduce inhibitions and increase the motivation of each individual at the same time.
Through Zero Waste theme events, focus groups, self-tests and interviews, we were able to explore the issues, that average consumers face, when they want to consume more consciously. We research product transportation, various types of packaging, product labels and sustainable product alternatives. Generating a business model canvas and value proposition canvas helps us to modify our content and to define our approaches and goals.
↝ Click here to read more about our research
The concept is an exhibition scenario, for instance at a fair. We visualize rooms, such as the bathroom, in an abstract way and place conventional products in them, which the user can interact with. A monitor, where a mirror is traditionally installed, provides information about the products and instructs the user on how to interact with the media station. The room is furnished with a "Simple Swaps" shelf with alternative products. The visitor has the possibility to exchange the conventional products with the alternatives from the shelf and to learn more as an example about the production. This concept can be adapted to all kinds of rooms. The user can access our smartphone-application with a QR-Code, which is displayed on the monitor and our exhibition stand. This gives the user the opportunity to get the information on the go, anytime and anywhere.
We focus on people, who are interested in sustainability and are open to alternatives. But we don’t just want to address people, who already deal with the topic, but also to those, who have never come into contact with it before.
The Simple Swaps App is a help for people interested in learning more about "sustainability". The user is offered to complete a 30-day challenge to learn the basics of a sustainable lifestyle. Additionally, there are DIY recipes and product alternatives for different categories.
Overview - The homepage provides an overview of the most important functions of the application. In the DIY overview, DIY tips are listed in all categories. A filter function and a search function is helpful in case the user is looking for something specific.
Simple Swaps - The Simple Swaps overview depicts products, which are offered as an alternative to conventional products. If something specific is searched for, there are three options: Browse the categories, enter products in the search bar or scan the barcode of a product (e.g. a shampoo bottle). After a barcode is scanned, nearby offers, DIY recipes or products for online purchase, are displayed.
