Proposal for the Service Design of a Waste Sorting and Recycling System of Public Residential Districts in Shanghai: Focusing on Waste Sorting and Recycling Bins

Abstract

Objectives: This study uses service design to improve waste sorting participation and accuracy among residents in Shanghai’s public housing communities by developing a user-centered, modular, and intelligent recycling system. Methods: A mixed-methods ap proach was adopted, including analysis of current practices in Shanghai, case studies from South Korea and Japan, and service design tools such as user journey mapping to identify key touchpoints and user pain points. Results: Findings show a gap between policy measures and residents’ everyday needs, leading to low engagement. Challenges include unclear signage, inconvenient bin placement, and poor system interaction. Conclusions: A service-design-based solution is proposed: an intelligent, modular recycling system that integrates human-centered design and smart technology, aiming to increase usability, participation, and long-term compliance in waste sorting.