Sortera in short
Sortera is an environmental company that collects and manages waste, ensuring it is transformed into resources through reuse, recycling, or energy recovery. Sortera is top of the class when it comes to quality in the business.
Since its inception in 2006, Sortera has been making a difference for the environment by providing services to thousands of businesses and individuals in northern Europe and are expanding to more countries.
My part
Since April 2022 my current assignment is Design Lead in an Empowered Product Team at Sortera Group. The biggest contribution to date is launching The Sortera Customer Portal App, available on iOS, Android and in the web. I will give you a briefly idea of what I and the team have accomplished so far.
Working with Modern Product Development
Ever since joining, we have been working with a modern product team mindset, emphasizing Empowered Product Teams. The key is to always collaborate in the team while solving users needs, pain points and desires.
In short, this means we have a balanced team that works closely together, combining competencies in Product Management, Design, and Tech. We take full responsibility for our product and do not only rely on "requests" from the organisation — the team drive the change in the product with insights from frequent interaction with users. Everyone in the team participates in user interaction, not just myself as the usability expert. This approach ensures that everyone has access to firsthand information which is a game changer.
Me and some of my team members did a webinar on this in May 2024, you can read a summary here to understand more about our way of working.
What I have done and do
- As part of the team, I contributed to designing, testing, and creating The Sortera Customer Portal App. This app provides full coverage of the Recycling business offer, accessible right from users’ mobile devices or the web.
- Designing and developing the “Last Mile Experience.” This SMS and notification service ensures that users receive timely updates about all the recycling jobs Sortera is performing for them today.
- I have conducted audits of other digital internal applications. By collaborating with the facility waste centers and sitting in with drivers, I enhanced their digital experience and working tools.
- I conducted a major customer experience research report that resulted in the establishment of a much-needed Customer Adoption Team.
- Established a proper design system for customer facing products.
Short on Design Tokens supporting the design system
I introduced the usage of Token Studio, which enables “One source of truth for design and development” that can be managed inside Figma and through code.
Tokens are updated and maintained in both Figma and the code connected to the design system repository. These tokens are then exported as JSON files to be used in other repositories. This seamless connection between design and code makes it a great prerequisite for the Sortera Design System to be developed, updated, and maintained cross-functionally..
The App
The app is available on iOS, Android and in the Web.. Built with React Native through Expo.
The app on mobile devices.
The result so far
Countless hours of user interaction, design, and development with the team have led to an app that serves customers across all Sweden, helping them interact better with Sortera digitally whenever they need to.
Among many things, the app gives the user the chance to:
- Order digitally whenever 24/7.
- Get notifications on important updates regarding their orders.
- Environmental statistics and summaries in PDF and CSV exports.
- Manage their projects and addresses without having to call.
- With one click interact with The Swedish Environmental Protection Agency when in need of important documentation when handling hazardous waste.
Me observing a crane doing its work!
Me showcasing the app at an event.
I am to the right getting customers to scan a QR code in order to install the app.
