eleventh-interview

[eleventh-interview]

Week 11 – Exploring User Adoption of the PlastiCash App

Shifting Focus to the App Experience

As we continue building the PlastiCash ecosystem, this week we focused on the app component and how users perceive its role alongside the PlastiCash vending machine. We’re entering a phase where the physical and digital experiences need to work hand in hand, and understanding user adoption of the app is crucial. To explore this, we interviewed a new group of participants to better understand their thoughts on using the app in conjunction with the machine. The big question we asked: Would users actually see the value in having an app, or would they be satisfied with just the machine experience?

Our Hypothesis

Our initial belief was that the convenience and mobility of the PlastiCash app would attract users already engaged with the vending machine. We assumed that people would enjoy being able to track their recycling contributions on the go, monitor rewards, and feel more connected to the impact they’re making. The app was designed to give users more control and context—something we thought would naturally extend the value of the machine-based experience.

What We Did This Week

To test this, we conducted interviews with seven new participants and walked them through a live demo of the PlastiCash app. We wanted to hear their honest thoughts about usability, integration with the machine, and whether they saw themselves using the app in the real world. The conversations focused on four key areas: how easy the app is to use, how well it complements the machine, how engaging the community features are, and whether users find the app necessary or valuable to their recycling journey.

What We Found

The response was largely positive: six out of seven participants said they would use the app. They liked how it extended the machine’s functionality—allowing them to track their progress, manage rewards, and stay connected with their recycling impact from anywhere. The idea of having community-based features, like leaderboards or milestones, was also well received. Users appreciated the sense of continuity the app provided outside of their physical visits to the machine.

However, one participant shared a contrasting opinion. They didn’t see the app as essential, reasoning that the machine already handled rewards instantly on-site. For them, the app felt like an extra step rather than a helpful tool. This brought up an important point: some users may feel that the machine alone is enough, and may not immediately recognize the added value of the digital experience.

What’s Next for Us

These interviews helped us realize that we need to communicate the app’s value more clearly. In the coming weeks, we’ll work on making it obvious that the app doesn’t replace the machine—it enhances it. We’ll highlight unique features like progress history, impact summaries, and community rewards that aren’t available on the machine itself. We’re also planning to gather more targeted feedback from users who are hesitant about the app to better understand where the disconnect lies, and how we can bridge it through better design and messaging.

Our Decision-Making Moving Forward

This week’s insights made it clear that we have a solid foundation with the app—but to increase adoption, we need to double down on showing users why it matters. Our next steps will involve refining how we introduce the app during onboarding, improving in-app messaging, and emphasizing its role as a powerful companion to the vending machine. By positioning it as an extension of their efforts—not an alternative—we’re aiming to boost long-term engagement and make recycling with PlastiCash a more connected, impactful experience.

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