Helping vape users dispose of “disposable” vapes safely, from the box to the bin.

Instead of a single product, we designed a path: every point where someone handles a vape tells them it doesn't belong in the trash, and points them to where it does.

01 · ON THE VAPE

FIG. 01

Info sticker

Tells users not to recycle or trash the vape, explains why, and links to the ReVolt site with a QR code.

02 · ON THE BOX

FIG. 02

Box redesign

Separates the two jobs: the box is recyclable, the vape gets scanned. A labeled QR code reads “Scan Me.”

03 · ONLINE

FIG. 03

ReVolt website

A map that finds the nearest drop-off bin, plus clear explanations of why proper disposal matters.

04 · IN THE WORLD

FIG. 04

Drop-off bin

Attaches to existing bins or sits where people vape, marked with the same symbol as the vape and box.

Every touchpoint shares the same ReVolt symbol, so the bin is easy to recognize once you've seen the label on your vape or box.

Sources: The Guardian, Time, Vice, Gaica, Veolia.

Secondary research framed the problem. A survey then found people who use disposable vapes, and semi-structured interviews, virtual and in person, showed how they actually get rid of them.

MY PART: proposed the topic, led the secondary research, helped craft the survey, and ran interviews and usability tests.

Affinity mapping our interview notes surfaced two problems: people didn't know, and even if they did, doing the right thing was a hassle.

INSIGHT 01

Users are unaware

Between a lack of education on how to dispose of a vape and on why it matters, users had no idea what proper disposal looked like.

86%of participants who put vapes in the trash didn't know about proper disposal

I feel like there's a lack of education about proper disposal, it's part of the reason I didn't know.PARTICIPANT

FIG. 05

INSIGHT 02

Proper disposal is inconvenient

Even people who knew it was harmful had nowhere easy to take a used vape, so the trash won by default. That included a vape store owner.

75%of participants throw their vapes in trash bins

I know it's harmful, but I don't think anyone makes such efforts, and not many are aware… I wish there were better ways, but we just tell them (customers) to throw it away.PARTICIPANT · VAPE STORE OWNER

FIG. 06

HOW MIGHT WEHow might we increase the convenience and awareness of proper vape disposal processes and techniques?

Our team ran a sketching session to generate ideas that could spread information and make disposal easier. From casing redesigns to battery changes, we went wide, then chose two directions: purpose-built community bins for convenience, and a packaging redesign with a companion website for awareness.

FIG. 07GROUP SKETCHING

FIG. 08BIN SKETCH

FIG. 09PACKAGING SKETCH

I ran think-aloud usability tests with 4 participants using a low-fidelity prototype: a cardboard bin, a mock vape box and vape, all with QR codes and symbols, plus a mobile website prototype. Participants unboxed the vape, scanned the QR code and went through the site.

FIG. 10LOW-FI PROTOTYPE

FIG. 11MOBILE PROTOTYPE

USABILITY PROBLEM 01

Participants didn't know what the QR code did, or what they were supposed to do with it.

WHAT WE CHANGED

We labeled every QR code with what it does: “Scan Me” on the box, and “Learn how to properly dispose of me →” on the vape's sticker.

FIG. 12BEFORE → AFTER

USABILITY PROBLEM 02

Participants confused our disposal symbol with recycling symbols.

WHAT WE CHANGED

We split the box label in two: “Box” with the recycling symbol, and “Vape” with the QR code, so it's clear the box gets recycled and the vape doesn't.

FIG. 13BEFORE → AFTER

We printed and assembled each piece to test it the way people would actually handle it.

PACKAGING

Box redesign

A recyclable-box symbol tells users the box itself can be recycled, and a labeled QR code takes them to the ReVolt website.

FIG. 14BOX · PRINTED PROTOTYPE

ON THE VAPE

Info stickers

Stickers on the vape give immediate disposal information, a reason to care (fires at waste plants), and the same QR code.

FIG. 15VAPE STICKER · PRINTED PROTOTYPE

IN THE WORLD

Drop-off bin

A bin that attaches to existing trash bins or objects in common vaping areas, with disposal information and a QR code to the ReVolt website.

FIG. 16DROP-OFF BIN LABEL

ONLINE

ReVolt website

Users enter their location to find the nearest drop-off bin on a map. The site also explains proper disposal and shares statistics on the harm improper disposal causes.

FIG. 17MOBILE WEBSITE