Incentivizing recycling in developing urban cities: design and implementation of a mobile reward app for enhanced participation and sustainability

To address waste management issues in developing cities, this study examines a mobile app-based rewards system to boost recycling efforts in Kampala, Uganda. Implemented with support from the Kampala Capital City Authority (KCCA), this study uses participatory Design. This user-friendly app integrates informal waste collectors essential to the city’s waste management process. Chi-Square analysis found no significant link between smartphone ownership and willingness to use the app (χ²(1) = 0.093, p = 0.761). However, there was a significant association between comfort with technology and recycling participation (χ²(1) = 15.889, p < 0.001); users more comfortable with technology were also more likely to recycle. Incentive preferences such as discounts or vouchers are significantly tied to the preferred frequency of rewards (χ²(6, N = 500) = 99.54, p < 0.001), indicating that tailored incentives could lead to higher engagement. These findings suggest that while smartphone access is widespread, user motivation and technological comfort significantly impact the adoption of mobile recycling solutions. This study provides valuable insights for designing incentive-based, user-friendly systems supporting sustainable urban waste management.