Recycle Now is pleased to unveil exciting new developments with our Recycling Locator, enhancing the way users easily find out what and how to recycle using local services and locations.
The Locator boasts thousands of monthly users. It is not just a feature of the Recycle Now website; it is also available as a versatile widget, free for public organisations or members of WRAP's Voluntary Agreements to integrate into their platforms. Customisable to fit seamlessly into host sites, it has become a valuable resource for many local authorities who are already hosting the widget on their websites.
Over time, we have recognized the need to enhance the Locator's foundation. We have listened to feedback and worked hard to upgrade its structure, addressing data integrity issues, and implementing processes to ensure data quality. Our database is based around information sourced not only from Councils through the Local Authority Portal but also from organisations like The Salvation Army and large supermarkets, adding depth and breadth to our coverage.
Now, onto the exciting changes. The most noticeable transformation is the sleek new design. We have invested considerable effort into making it more inviting and accessible. But how the Locator looks isn’t the whole story; we have also prioritised improving the user experience. With new tools, features, and a responsive design, the Locator can now be adapted seamlessly to all screen sizes, ensuring a consistent experience across devices.
Let's highlight some of the key improvements:
- Behaviour Change Nudges: Throughout the site, users will encounter gentle prompts encouraging sustainable choices, fostering a culture of eco-consciousness.
- Extended Engagement: Links to related pages aim to prolong users' time on the site, offering additional resources and information.
- Hints and Tips: Valuable insights into sustainable practices are now readily available, empowering users to make informed decisions.
- Clear Presentation: Information on what can be recycled at home, and out of home is presented more clearly, facilitating easier decision-making for users.
The following are examples pages showing some of the enhanced features.
We have already done a ‘soft launch’ on RecycleNow.com and this marks the beginning of a transition to the new design for our current users. Throughout May and June, we will be refining and maintaining these improvements as we roll out the new Locator to all widget users.
We are also in the process of testing a standalone Progressive Web App (PWA). This version, similar to the Locator widget, offers enhanced user experience with its own domain name which will make sharing and installing the app much more natural for users. It will also be installable on desktops or mobiles (it will have its own app icon and appear amongst other apps on a device.)
These developments signify a significant leap forward for the Recycling Locator, promising an enriched user experience for all. If you have any questions or feedback, please contact us at partnerenquiries@wrap.org.uk. The Recycling Locator Team would be happy to hear from any Council who would like to discuss including the Recycling Locator on their website.
