Problem Statement
Recyclers faced major challenges in managing EPR compliance workflows. Their processes were scattered across Excel sheets, emails, and manual uploads. This caused frequent errors, data duplication, and delays in compliance approvals. There was also low trust in digital automation.
My Role
UX/UI Designer (sole contributor)
Team
UX Designer, UX Lead, Product Manager, 2 Developers, 1 QA Analyst
Key Objectives
Automate Processes
Automate ProcessesReduce time and errors through intelligent automation of repetitive compliance tasks.
Standardize Documentation
Ensure consistent document formatting and improve task visibility across workflows.
Foster Trust
Build user confidence through intuitive, user-friendly compliance solutions.
What is EPR ?
Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an Indian government mandate requiring brands that generate waste to recycle a specified percentage of that waste, instead of allowing it to end up in landfills.
Producer's Create
Manufacturers, importers, and brand owners take responsibility for the entire
Manufacturers, importers, and brand owners take responsibility for the entire
Ensure compliance by meeting regulatory targets.
Recycler's Process
Licensed recycling facilities collect, sort, and process waste into reusable raw materials.
Maintain detailed records for compliance.
Meet strict quality standards as per EPR regulations.
PRO's Manage
Producer Responsibility Organizations (PROs) like Recykal act as intermediaries.
Connect stakeholders through digital platforms.
Manage compliance reporting and coordinate logistics.
Facilitate payments and ensure all regulatory requirements are met.
EPR Compliance Flow
Every time a truck full of recyclable material arrives, it is recorded as a delivery in the system.
Each Truckload = One Delivery
Before the new solution, for every single delivery, recyclers had to capture :
Data Points
Documents
This meant that even a modest recycling operation required thousands of repetitive actions, leaving high chances for human error and delay.
Understand the Complexity : The Challenge
Let's say a brand raises a demand for 80,000 metric tons. With each delivery averaging 5 metric tons, this scale becomes:
Deliveries needed to meet demand
Manual entries across all deliveries
Files managed for compliance
To uncover the recyclers' true challenges, I implemented a systematic research approach combining multiple methodologies. This comprehensive investigation revealed critical insights that would shape our solution strategy.
12+ User Interviews
Conducted 12 in-depth interviews with recyclers of varying scales to explore existing tools, methods, and pain points in compliance workflows.
Shadowing
Shadowed recyclers during actual operations to understand how they handle purchase orders, deliveries, and document management.
Data Analysis
Analyzed current workflows and tools (Tally, Excel, file-sharing apps) to identify inefficiencies and common error patterns.
Few clicks from research and brainstorming sessions (Credits: Recykal)
Manual Data Errors
Frequent mistakes due to repetitive, manual data entry caused delays and frustration.
Too Many Requirements
36 data fields and 15 documents per delivery overwhelmed users and slowed processes.
Excel Already in Use
Recyclers were already tracking data in Excel—but the system didn’t support it.
Recyclers
RecyclersGathered feedback and confirmed challenges through direct conversations and workflow observations.
Compliance Teams
Ensured compliance needs and regulatory expectations were clearly understood and addressed.
Internal Teams
Worked with product managers, developers, and QA teams to understand technical possibilities and constraints.
To solve the challenges we discovered during research, we explored a variety of design directions. Some were quick and reactive, while others were more strategic and focused on long-term impact. Each iteration helped us learn faster, test smarter, and move closer to what truly worked for recyclers.
Recyclers Portal Flow for Delivery Creation
Wireframes
Design System
Comprehensive usability testing with diverse recycler groups validated our design decisions and quantified improvements in user experience and task completion rates.
Faster Delivery Creation
Reduced time from 45 to 18 minutes
Fewer Tagging Errors
Significant reduction in document classification mistakes
User Satisfaction
Improved overall user experience rating
Testing focused on three key areas: efficiency in delivery creation, accuracy in data entry and document tagging, and overall usability of navigation and dashboard clarity. Results exceeded our initial success metrics.