Embarking on this project with limited sustainability knowledge, I delved into the UN’s 17 sustainability principles. Points such as climate action, life below water, sustainable cities, and others sparked my interest, initiating preliminary app ideas to contribute to sustainability.
Navigating the challenge of devising unique ideas within a landscape of existing solutions, I meticulously considered logistics and feasibility. The hurdle lay in creating something both distinctive and impactful, acknowledging resource limitations.
Initial concepts emerged, addressing issues from reducing plastic waste through water refill stations to an app suggesting environmentally friendly transportation options. In the Life on Land sector, an Invasive Species Tracker aimed to raise awareness about local ecosystems.
Among these, the concept of a food donation rewards scheme under Zero Hunger faced ethical concerns during discussions. Feedback led to an insightful shift – a Recipe Regenerator app. This innovation stemmed from the common issue of food waste resulting from recipes designed for larger portions than needed.
The app, tailored to users’ serving sizes, aims to simplify recipe adjustments, calculating ingredient quantities and costs. A donation section and informative pop-ups add layers of engagement, emphasising the positive impact of not wasting food.
After a interesting discussion with Rob, an tutor, the focus shifted towards solving the prevalent issue of food waste caused by excess portions in recipes, which I found out in my statistical research. The idea of an app that adjusts ingredient quantities based on the number of servings emerged, demonstrating the potential to save money and reduce emissions.
Excitement and motivation surged as the concept developed, offering a user-friendly interface and an option to choose recipes from a ‘recipe book’ filtered by serving sizes. The inclusion of cost calculations and a donation section enhances the app’s functionality and user impact.
Reflecting on this task, it proved crucial in shaping the ideation process. A specific topic provided clarity for problem statements, research, and competitor reviews. Eager to continue this project, I anticipate further innovative sparks, recognising the potential to contribute meaningfully to sustainability.
