From Plastic to Pixels: Empowering Circular Action Through Website Design
Mitigating the global waste and climate change threat requires compelling solutions to shift individuals and communities towards circular economy (CE) behaviors. CE behaviors focus on minimizing waste and consumption by extending the lifespan of materials through reuse, repair, refurbishing, and other means. This study, conducted alongside an internship with the organization rePurpose Whidbey, focuses on supporting their upcoming project, the Wasteless Whidbey Website, which aims to educate residents on a wide range of everyday materials, sustainability topics, and promote fundamental behavior change. This multimethod investigation explores material life cycle assessments, interviews with rePurpose Whidbey’s technical team, website evaluations, and literature review analysis on user engagement and online communication. Findings determined the importance of user-centered design, accessibility features, persuasive messaging, and transparency. Recommendations specific to the Wasteless Whidbey website include simplifying information into digestible visuals, embedding interactive modules, utilizing database softwares, and drawing on emotional components of the waste reduction movement. In a broader scope, this project exemplifies how deliberate website design can be a catalyst for political and systemic engagement in regards to environmental change. By elaborately presenting sustainability concepts in an adaptable and action-oriented way, digital platforms can empower individuals and evoke societal shifts toward cyclicity.
