Waste sorting : A proposed social design workshop to improve behaviour and management of recycling.

This study and design concept explores the need for a change of the behaviour and recycling knowledge in Nybro Municipality, situated in Eastern Sweden. The main aim of this study is to provide support for discussion and act as an inspiration for the future development of projects with participatory citizenship. Additionally, to invigorate the need for a sustainable and circular waste management to reach sustainable development. The theoretical framework set up for this study focus on sustainable development, citizens’ behaviour and knowledge of recycling. The explorative research stage of the project is performed through several methods, including interviews with current waste management companies and Nybro Municipality’s Sustainability Department. Furthermore, a survey of the citizens of Nybro municipality, to investigate the behaviour and knowledge about recycling. Correspondingly, relevant secondary research and compulsory review of the context, waste management and circular economy in Sweden, but also the behaviour within recycling of the system users - citizens, is being examined. The project focuses on sorting and analysing the data and findings by using methods of several different visual thinking tools. The outcome of the project is a proposal of a design concept to facilitate the recycling of waste for the citizens as the users. Moreover, to emphasize the need and importance of recycling our everyday waste materials. This project is not a solution-based project, but more widely to provide a basis for discussion and inspire. The goal is to find a way that encourages citizens to recycle waste from products purchased in their daily living. A social design workshop, focusing on circular waste management and recycling behaviour, together with the citizens living in Nybro municipality, will be proposed and co-designed with the municipality’s sustainability department of Nybro Municipality