UX/UI Case Study
Turn Surplus into Shared Support.
Turn Surplus into Shared Support.
A community-driven app designed to reduce food waste by creating a sustainable exchange and stronger community connections.
DURATION
2023.10 - 2023.12
ROLE
UX/UI Design,
Research, Prototyping,
User Testing, IA
TOOLS
Figma, Photoshop,
Illustrator
Turning surplus into shared support.
A community-driven mobile app that helps neighbours reduce food waste by sharing still-good surplus items through simple posting, browsing, and pickup connections.
Turning surplus into shared support.
A community-driven mobile app that helps neighbours reduce food waste by sharing still-good surplus items through simple posting, browsing, and pickup connections.
DURATION
2023.10 - 2023.12
ROLE
UX/UI Design,
Research, Prototyping,
User Testing, IA
TOOLS
Figma, Photoshop,
Illustrator
In BC, solo households frequently face oversized packaging and leftover groceries that go unused.
In BC, solo households frequently face oversized packaging and leftover groceries that go unused.
With shrinking community ties and fewer informal sharing habits, surplus food often ends up in the trash. This creates three key challenges: excess waste, limited access to simple sharing options, and weakened neighbourhood connections.
CHALLENGES IDENTIFIED:
Excess household food waste
Lack of simple, guilt-free ways to share surplus food
Declining neighbourhood connections
Declining neighbourhood connections
“Single-person households stand out as being the most wasteful, often because they cannot purchase items in small enough package sizes and have fewer people in the home to consume food before it spoils.”
— Food Systems Lab
“Single-person households stand out as being the most wasteful, often because they cannot purchase items in small enough package sizes and have fewer people in the home to consume food before it spoils.”
— Food Systems Lab
How might we…?
…effectively reduce the amount of food waste generated everyday?
How might we…?
…effectively reduce the amount of food waste generated everyday?
The research, design, and
prototype.
The research, design, and
prototype.
In British Columbia, people throw away about $1,100 of food from our homes that could have been eaten. In Metro Vancouver, about 13,000 tonnes of food is thrown out each year.
In today's society, more people are living alone due to various social, economic, and cultural factors. This shift has increased the demand for single-serving options, creating challenges around portion sizes and higher costs for solo grocery shoppers.
SECONDARY USER
Community Supporters
Community Supporters
TERTIARY USER
Local Organizations
Local Organizations
PRIMARY USER
PRIMARY USER
Food Sharers & Receivers
Food Sharers & Receivers
PRIMARY USER
Food Sharers & Receivers
SECONDARY USER
Community Supporters
TERTIARY USER
Local Organizations
They directly post, browse, and pick up items — the main users who drive the platform’s core function.
They contribute to building trust, engagement, and a sense of community.
They support the ecosystem but aren’t the main day-to-day users.
60%
Often dispose of leftover food or unused groceries
Food Waste Behaviours Reported by Participants
“Do you feel that living alone contributes to your food waste?”
“Would you consider sharing ‘still-good’ food
within your community?”
Yes
Yes
No
No
Maybe
Do not frequently throw food away
Forget stored food until it expires or spoils
25%
15%
80%
50%
20%
20%
30%
Survey Insights:
A survey was conducted to explore the relationship between individuals living alone and the amount of food waste generated in single-person households.
Many respondents living alone highlighted challenges in finding appropriately portioned groceries, which often results in frequent food waste.
The empathy map helped identify opportunities to create ease, trust, and community connection in every food-sharing interaction.
By mapping the experiences of both primary and secondary users, I designed Scavenger to address emotional and functional needs, making food sharing feel easy and guilt-free for residents while fostering trust and meaningful connection within the community.
60%
Often dispose of leftover food or unused groceries
Food Waste Behaviours Reported by Participants
“Do you feel that living alone contributes to your food waste?”
“Would you consider sharing ‘still-good’ food
within your community?”
Yes
Yes
No
No
Maybe
Do not frequently throw food away
Forget stored food until it expires or spoils
25%
15%
80%
50%
20%
20%
30%
SECONDARY USER
Community Supporters
TERTIARY USER
Local Organizations
PRIMARY USER
Food Sharers & Receivers
PRIMARY USER
Food Sharers & Receivers
SECONDARY USER
Parent
TERTIARY USER
Local
Organizations
They directly post, browse, and pick up items — the main users who drive the platform’s core function.
They contribute to building trust, engagement, and a sense of community.
They support the ecosystem but aren’t the main day-to-day users.
Says
“I hate wasting food but it just happens.”
“I wish portions were smaller.”
“Someone else could probably use this.”
Pains
Can’t finish groceries before they expire.
Guilt and frustration over wasting money and food.
Forgetting food in the fridge until it spoils.
Gains
Saving money by wasting less.
Feeling good about sharing.
Reducing guilt
Thinks
I’m wasting money whenever I throw food out.
I should be more responsible with what I buy.
I forget what’s in my fridge too often.
Feel
Frustrated at themselves and at packaging sizes.
Guilty about how much they toss out.
Relieved when they can give something away instead of trashing it.
Do
Buys groceries in family-sized packaging.
Throws away leftovers or forgotten food at the end of the week.
Looks at Facebook groups or Buy Nothing but doesn’t want the hassle.
PRIMARY USER
Solo Resident with Surplus Food
60%
Often dispose of leftover food or unused groceries
Food Waste Behaviours Reported by Participants
“Do you feel that living alone contributes to your food waste?”
“Would you consider sharing ‘still-good’ food
within your community?”
Yes
Yes
No
No
Maybe
Do not frequently throw food away
Forget stored food until it expires or spoils
25%
15%
80%
50%
20%
20%
30%
Says
“I hate wasting food but it just happens.”
“I wish portions were smaller.”
“Someone else could probably use this.”
Pains
Can’t finish groceries before they expire.
Guilt and frustration over wasting money and food.
Forgetting food in the fridge until it spoils.
Gains
Saving money by wasting less.
Feeling good about sharing.
Reducing guilt
Thinks
I’m wasting money whenever I throw food out.
I should be more responsible with what I buy.
I forget what’s in my fridge too often.
Feel
Frustrated at themselves and at packaging sizes.
Guilty about how much they toss out.
Relieved when they can give something away instead of trashing it.
Do
Buys groceries in family-sized packaging.
Throws away leftovers or forgotten food at the end of the week.
Looks at Facebook groups or Buy Nothing but doesn’t want the hassle.
PRIMARY USER
Solo Resident with Surplus Food
SECONDARY USER
Community-Minded Neighbour
Says
“If I have extra, I don’t mind sharing.”
“It feels good to help someone nearby.”
“This is better than throwing it out.”
“I like community-focused apps.”
Pains
Some hesitation about safety or awkward interactions.
Sharing takes time if the system isn’t simple.
Not enough local engagement in current community groups.
Gains
Feeling part of a community without a big time commitment.
Positive emotional boost from small acts of kindness.
Knowing their surplus benefits someone directly.
Thinks
This helps reduce waste in my neighbourhood.
I hope the process is easy and safe.
I don’t want to meet strangers in complicated ways.
It would be nice to know my neighbours a bit more.
Feel
Satisfied when helping others.
Encouraged by small acts of community care.
Slightly cautious about safety or awkward interactions.
Happy when food gets used instead of wasted.
Do
Checks local community groups but doesn’t commit regularly.
Participates in recycling or sustainability efforts.
Watches for posts when convenient.
SECONDARY USER
Community-Minded Neighbour
Says
“If I have extra, I don’t mind sharing.”
“It feels good to help someone nearby.”
“This is better than throwing it out.”
“I like community-focused apps.”
Pains
Some hesitation about safety or awkward interactions.
Sharing takes time if the system isn’t simple.
Not enough local engagement in current community groups.
Gains
Feeling part of a community without a big time commitment.
Positive emotional boost from small acts of kindness.
Knowing their surplus benefits someone directly.
Thinks
This helps reduce waste in my neighbourhood.
I hope the process is easy and safe.
I don’t want to meet strangers in complicated ways.
It would be nice to know my neighbours a bit more.
Feel
Satisfied when helping others.
Encouraged by small acts of community care.
Slightly cautious about safety or awkward interactions.
Happy when food gets used instead of wasted.
Do
Shares surplus occasionally (produce, pantry items).
Checks local community groups but doesn’t commit regularly.
Participates in recycling or sustainability efforts.
Watches for posts when convenient.
Says
“I hate wasting food but it just happens.”
“I wish portions were smaller.”
“Someone else could probably use this.”
Pains
Can’t finish groceries before they expire.
Guilt and frustration over wasting money and food.
Forgetting food in the fridge until it spoils.
Gains
Saving money by wasting less.
Feeling good about sharing.
Reducing guilt
Thinks
I’m wasting money whenever I throw food out.
I should be more responsible with what I buy.
I forget what’s in my fridge too often.
Feel
Frustrated at themselves and at packaging sizes.
Guilty about how much they toss out.
Relieved when they can give something away instead of trashing it.
Do
Buys groceries in family-sized packaging.
Throws away leftovers or forgotten food at the end of the week.
Looks at Facebook groups or Buy Nothing but doesn’t want the hassle.
PRIMARY USER
Age 3-7
Solo Resident with Surplus Food
SECONDARY USER
Community-Minded Neighbour
Says
“If I have extra, I don’t mind sharing.”
“It feels good to help someone nearby.”
“This is better than throwing it out.”
“I like community-focused apps.”
Pains
Some hesitation about safety or awkward interactions.
Sharing takes time if the system isn’t simple.
Not enough local engagement in current community groups.
Gains
Feeling part of a community without a big time commitment.
Positive emotional boost from small acts of kindness.
Knowing their surplus benefits someone directly.
Thinks
This helps reduce waste in my neighbourhood.
I hope the process is easy and safe.
I don’t want to meet strangers in complicated ways.
It would be nice to know my neighbours a bit more.
Feel
Satisfied when helping others.
Encouraged by small acts of community care.
Slightly cautious about safety or awkward interactions.
Happy when food gets used instead of wasted.
Do
Checks local community groups but doesn’t commit regularly.
Participates in recycling or sustainability efforts.
Watches for posts when convenient.
Design Solution
Design Solution
To create a platform with the purpose of not only reducing food waste, but also nurturing community bonds through the share exchange of surplus, "still good" food items within your local community.
To create a platform with the purpose of not only reducing food waste, but also nurturing community bonds through the share exchange of surplus, "still good" food items within your local community.
Home Page: Discover products, neighbours, and a community
Home Page: Discover products, neighbours, and a community
The homepage invites you into a smooth, discovery-driven experience, showcasing what’s available around you at a glance. With simple filters that respond to your needs, you can quickly narrow down items and find the perfect match without any hassle.
The homepage invites you into a smooth, discovery-driven experience, showcasing what’s available around you at a glance. With simple filters that respond to your needs, you can quickly narrow down items and find the perfect match without any hassle.
Product Details: A clear, detail-rich page that lets you understand an item at a glance
Product Details: A clear, detail-rich page that lets you understand an item at a glance
The product detail page provides a description written by the lister, including key details such as purchase date, freshness, and more. If you're interested, you can directly contact the poster to inquire about the product.
The product detail page provides a description written by the lister, including key details such as purchase date, freshness, and more. If you're interested, you can directly contact the poster to inquire about the product.
Maps: Discover and unwrap new findings
Maps: Discover and unwrap new findings
The map feature gives you a dynamic, visual overview of nearby users and available items, with pings marking what’s around you. You can search by location or product directly on the map, while AI surfaces items that match your interests and needs for an even more seamless discovery experience.
The map feature gives you a dynamic, visual overview of nearby users and available items, with pings marking what’s around you. You can search by location or product directly on the map, while AI surfaces items that match your interests and needs for an even more seamless discovery experience.
User Profile
The user profile displays all the products listed by the user, providing an organized overview of their shared items.
The user profile displays all the products listed by the user, providing an organized overview of their shared items.
Defining the problem space through primary and secondary research, allowing exploration.
The primary goal of the app was to minimize food waste generated in our local communities while also nurturing community bonds. It was crucial for me to conduct both secondary and primary research to properly define the issue and devise a solution. To achieve this, I dedicated time to conducting multiple user tests, continuously refining the project to enhance user familiarity and meet their needs effectively.
The primary goal of the app was to minimize food waste generated in our local communities while also nurturing community bonds. It was crucial for me to conduct both secondary and primary research to properly define the issue and devise a solution. To achieve this, I dedicated time to conducting multiple user tests, continuously refining the project to enhance user familiarity and meet their needs effectively.
This app has the potential to grow from a local sharing tool into a wider food-sustainability platform.
By partnering with organizations like Vancouver Food Runners and Refood, it could support real efforts to reduce food waste and improve access to food.
As the community expands, the app could strengthen connections between users and local groups, helping more surplus food reach people who need it. With future improvements that make sharing easier and more connected, the app could play a small but meaningful role in building a more sustainable and generous community.
By partnering with organizations like Vancouver Food Runners and Refood, it could support real efforts to reduce food waste and improve access to food.
As the community expands, the app could strengthen connections between users and local groups, helping more surplus food reach people who need it. With future improvements that make sharing easier and more connected, the app could play a small but meaningful role in building a more sustainable and generous community.
