Program on the Environment

Digital resources promoting zero-waste behavior often fail to touch the diverse public, due to barriers such as information complexity, digital barriers or non-inclusivity. The purpose of this study was to evaluate how inclusive design in civic-technology can increase sustainable actions. (1) Accessibility, (2) policy translation, (3) community values were identified as tools necessary for zero-waste initiatives to create a larger impact.

Through my internship with rePurpose Whidbey, I developed user interface prototypes and materials-data systems for the Wasteless Wiki – a community-centered recycling guide designed to attain the three principles. To address equity and usability challenges, I conducted a literature synthesis on inclusive public-facing tech design, and, with Professor Mankoff’s support, developed a Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG-3) based checklist.

Findings indicate that effective sustainability platforms must implement recognized accessibility standards, drive systemic change by translating policy into simple, actionable language to raise policy literacy, and leverage local values while embracing co-creation to frame engagement as community care instead of obligation. Groups with limited technical resources could use phased implementation, for instance from basic to advanced accessibility features, as a feasible way to embed inclusivity throughout ongoing web development.

Attaining zero-waste goals depends not only on quality research, but also on how such information is communicated. To create lasting change, resources made to influence the public must be user-centered and created with empathy. Robust data alone is ineffective, but the three principles: accessibility, policy translation, and the community values of our target users, will enable us to push the circular economy agenda forward.