Whole Foods Mapping & Affordances

This is a waste receptacle in the Wellesley town Whole Foods grocery store. It presents its purpose very clearly to the user; through cut out holes, customers are aware that something is placed in the bins. This is straight forward affordance, augmented by the color and texture difference to indicate their three dimensional space. Using the visual aids in the glass above, we are able to match the kinds of waste to the same objects we have just purchased. This is well executed mapping, because it delivers its message without written instruction (though it has that too on small placards). Visually, users are able to match the kind of waste being disposed of to the corresponding hole, and are intuitively encouraged to perform the action.

Unlike other daily objects, the receptacle does not run on power, nor does its result give something to the user, like a stove provides cooking heat or a lamp provides light. However, the object is an excellent social tool for a public setting. It is physically inclusive because anyone can reach the holes to dispose of their waste. It is socially inclusive because it does not require knowledge of specific symbols or writing. Further, it cultivates community by placing value on social goods like recycling and compost, and respectfully recognizes the different ways shoppers might use it (ie. professionals eating lunch or residents buying family groceries). Of course, if one is unable to navigate the store to buy anything throwing away any garbage is a moot point. Additionally, I might ask if the design would encourage the store to question if it could also invest in reducing the amount of waste their products produce, such as investing in biodegradable produce bags or less plastic in some of the packaging.