Case Study: Empowering Communities Through Recycling

A Website Redesign for Aapka Recycling Mitra (ARM)

1. Project Overview

• Client: Aapka Recycling Mitra (ARM), a non-profit in India

• Timeline: May – August 2025

• Role: UX/UI Designer (solo capstone)

• Tools: Figma, Google Forms, Canva, Notion

• Goal: Redesign ARM’s outdated website to make recycling more accessible, raise awareness, and increase community participation.

  
  

2. The Problem

ARM provides amazing eco-services — but their old website was outdated, non-mobile-friendly, and confusing for users who wanted to recycle, volunteer, or donate.

• No clear service explanations

• No pickup booking form

• Low user trust and engagement

• Missing blog or impact stories

3. The Solution

A fresh, eco-themed responsive website that:

• Educates users through blogs and guides

• Allows quick booking for recycling pickups

• Highlights ARM's impact and community work

• Builds trust with clear storytelling and design

  
  

4. Research

User Interviews (3)

• Users want to recycle but don’t know where to start

• Prefer WhatsApp and simple sites over apps

• Want transparency: “Where does my waste go?”

  
  

Survey (14 responses)

• Most use social media or websites for services

• Top requested features: pickup forms, recycling guides, volunteer options

  
  

Competitive Analysis

• Compared with sites like SWaCH, Greenworms, ReCircle

• Insight: They lacked personal storytelling and clean UI

  
  

Insights:

• Confusion about recycling rules

• Desire for simple, trustworthy design

• Need for easy action (pickup/volunteer)

Detailed Research doc: https://1drv.ms/w/c/9a0e14cd3e7111ba/EVh2qXPll81BgK7NpftiusABa55KEqsCkht-P-fSnlJnwg?e=CzKQ2B

5. User Persona & Journey

Persona: Renu Sharma, a homemaker who wants to recycle but finds current systems too complicated.

Journey pain points:

• Unclear how to start

• Needs mobile-friendly experience

• Lacks confirmation or follow-up

6. Design Process

Information Architecture

• Home

• About Us

• Services (Project A, B, C)

• Blog

• Contact / Get Involved

Wireframes

• Low to high-fidelity designs in Figma

• Simplified navigation, large CTAs, impact visuals

Design System

• Color palette: Green tones for eco-trust

• Typography: Clean, legible sans-serif

• Visuals: Icons, real photos, stats counters

7. Final Solution Highlights

• Responsive layout

• Pickup & Volunteer Forms

• Blog Section for Education

• Live Impact Stats

• WhatsApp integration

• CMS-ready structure (WordPress compatible)

  
  

8. Usability Testing

Tasks tested:

• Booking a pickup

• Finding info on eco-bricks

• Signing up to volunteer

Results:

• 100% task completion

• Users praised simplicity and eco-look

• Minor tweaks made to form labels

  
  

9. Final Outcome

• Client approved all pages

• Site ready for WordPress development

• Empowered users with knowledge and access

  
  

10. Learnings

• Importance of user research, even for NGOs

• How to design trust through visual language

• Balancing tech limitations with user needs