Design Thinking

Example of Learning Launch:

the ‘game’ of plastics recycling

by Alexandra Serafini – 17 Feb, 2021

Index

1.  Challenge .................................................................................................................................. 3

2.  Selection.................................................................................................................................... 3

3.  Application................................................................................................................................. 3

4.  Insight ........................................................................................................................................ 4

5.  Approach ................................................................................................................................... 4

1. Challenge

In recent years, doing something for our planet has become an essential condition for  each of us. Everyone can help the safeguard the natural environment, changing small  gestures and incorrect habits.

In the city where I live, in Italy, there are many green initiatives that are put into practice,  but they are never enough.

My challenge is to put into practice a method for making the younger age groups learn  and practice virtuous and correct behaviors, in a fun and stimulating way. Doing so, they  can contribute to protect and preserve the well-being of the planet and have a better  future.

The project will initially have these features:

 limited to a maximum of 10 kindergartens, where it is possible to place a corner

dedicated to plastic collection;

 supply of small plastic-eating machines made from recycled material, with an

appearance that recalls colored cartoon characters: this is possible thanks to the  collaboration with AMIU, the local authority that manages the collection and  recycling of waste;

 duration of the experiment: two months.

2. Selection

In design thinking, there is no secret recipe to achieve innovation, but there is an  iteration of design processes that enable innovation to happen.

The learning launch principle is one of the most important tools of design thinking for  innovation. This principle consists in doing small experiments to test a prototype in the  real world. It is a relatively fast, and represent a low-cost way to validate the innovator’s  ideas.

Using the learning launch principle for this challenge ensures to verify that solution is  oriented toward the target people. This process does not necessarily prove that the  initial idea is the best, but it enables an innovator to identify how the idea can be  improved or if it should be discarded.

3. Application

For every child, everything can become a game, even plastics recycling.

The herein proposed learning launch consists in teaching kindergarten children,  supported by the teachers, to collect plastic material in the plastic-eating machine.

This practice can be interpreted as:

 a behavior that helps children become more responsible;   a challenge that allows to earn rewards: a plastic coin will be issued every time a

suitable object is introduced into the machine.

Every child, with parents help, can convert the coins collected into tangible good at  affiliate businesses for example:

 toy store;   ice cream shop;   amusement park;   etc.

4. Insight

This idea is born to involve both children and adults in the goal of plastics recycling:

 plastic waste collection thought to children, makes it to become a spontaneous

gesture when they will be adults;

 adults, helping children, will lead by example.

Monitoring children's progress for a period of one or two months will allow to appreciate  this kind of initiative.

If children will consider this activity enough stimulating, will try to earn as many coins as  possible, maybe even bringing some empty plastic bottles from home.

5. Approach

The idea herein exposed can lead to several other practical implementation:

 the plastic eating machines can also be installed in public areas, for example near

playgrounds;

 in addition to plastic materials, the machines can be designed to collect other

types of waste, for example paper: doing so, children have the opportunity to  develop their own material perception;

  the project could be extended to adults: by means of a smartphone app, it is  possible to track waste collection in order to obtain coupons or some discounts.

