A Minor Field Study on development of recycling service for used PET bottles at hotels in Uganda

Abstract: Through interviews, research, observations and the use of service design methods the author of this report, Jenny Annebäck, executed a Minor Field Study within the field of recycling of PET bottles in Uganda. The project work resulted in thorough studies of service design thinking and methodology, sustainable development, the market and situation in Uganda as well as the consumer group concerned about sustainable development. The result was a pre-study of a future development of a recycling service, visualized through two stakeholder maps, personas and a customer journey map. These three tools constitutes a beginning and a solid ground for further work with developing the service. A service that can contribute to a more sustainable development in the country of Uganda. In the report, examples are stated how to continue with the project as well as how it can be applied in other developing countries. The project work of this Minor Field Study(MFS) lasted from November 2011 until June 2012, as a degree project of 22,5 ECTS credits for the Degree of Bachelor of Science in Innovation and Design Engineering at Karlstad University. The MFS program is organized by the Swedish International Programme Office for Education and Training and financed by the Swedish International Development Cooperation Agency, enabling graduating students to perform a thesis in a developing country. Jenny Annebäck spent the first two months of the project time in Jinja, Uganda, together with her project partner Olga Sabirova Höjerström, both students at Karlstad University. The two project group members performed this Minor Field Study together with Sarah Keller, industrial designer and general manager at Uganda Innovation Factory(UIF). UIF is a product and graphic design company situated in Jinja, working with local designers to encourage Ugandan design and production for the global market. The supervising teacher of this project has been Monica Jakobsson and the examiner professor Fredrik Thuvander, both belonging to the Faculty of Technology and Science at Karlstad University.