Seattle Teaches Recycling Online

Web surfers and computer game addicts can learn about Seattle’s recycling program in an online game offered at the Seattle Public Utilities (SPU) Web site.

The Recycling IQ Game (www.cityofseattle.net/util/RecyclingIQ) allows players to drag and drop up to 36 common household items into garbage, mixed recycling or glass recycling bins. The game was developed in the Flash format by Pop Art, a Portland, Ore.-based Internet consulting firm.

The object of the game, which stars a cast of characters created by SPU, is for residents to discover what can and can't be recycled in Seattle’s recycling program.

Beginner Level players are offered recycling tips by Curb Waste & Conserve advice columnist Evenly the Envelope. Advanced Level players can test their speed and ability to place 12 random items correctly.

“Pop Art approached this project with the intention of creating an educational tool that best simulated a recycler's decision-making process,” says Mike Beaulieu, Flash designer for the firm.

In addition to educating curbside recycling customers, the game also includes a built-in database that allows SPU officials to review the number of correct and incorrect scores each month. This feature will allow SPU to adjust the game in the future to focus on items that cause the most confusion for customers.

In the first month of the game's launch, more than 5,000 residents visited the Recycling IQ Game web site, answering an average of 87% of the items correctly. Although 99% of players correctly identified newspapers and aluminum cans as recyclable, more than 20% of the players did not know that plastic cups and aluminum foil couldn’t be recycled.

“We're thrilled with the results,” says Brett Stav, senior public relations specialist for Seattle Public Utilities. “The Recycling IQ Game is a fun and engaging way to dispel common recycling misconceptions, and provides us with solid customer research data that will help us educate our customers about proper recycling.”