UPCYCLINGAfifi Ishak

David SwerzenskiEvan Oslakovich

Michael Kist

CONTENTS: DESIGN BRIEF

PROJECT CONTEXT

1

DESIGN BRIEF: Collecting plastic waste and up-cycle to create a useful

product or process that benefits the local economy and supports sustainability and

cost-effective design. Creating useful design solutions requires a holistic approach

analyzing operational efficiency, material use, safety, productivity, ease of operation

and maintenance.

DEFINITION: Reuse ( discarded objects or material ) in such a way as to create a product of a higher quality or value than the original.

Upcycle{uhp-sahy-kuh l}

The Cycle of Recycling Plastic

PROJECT CONTEXT: The overarching goal of this project is to devolp a process that reduces the amount of plastic bottle waste in both Haiti and Nicaragua, and creates a profitable product for the local community. There is an overflow of plastic of plastic bottle waste in both from humanitarian aid and lack of infrastructure to properly dispose of the waste. Exploring potential ideas for turning this material into new and innovative products that satisfy local and cultural design.

OVERVIEW: Our main customer Erinold Frederic who works as a medical lab technician. He visited Haiti and noticed street children who live in the dump and scavenge plastic bottle waste for a living. We are collabrorating with Haiti and Nicaragua to explore potenial ideas with plastic bottle upcycling for creating better opportunities in their countries. In their current states, Nicaragua and Haiti are overwhelmed with plastic bottle waste streams. In these environments, this plastic waste is an untapped resource that can be both removed and reused. The objective of this project is to develop a system and several products that can effectively remove this waste and produce

HAITI

NICARAGUA

value for the people living in these polluted regions.Traditional recycling methods are not currently viable and as a result, it is our goal to produce a method of up-cycling for these bottles that will benefit the local population. We will work to develop a system that promotes collection of the waste and rewards the community for their efforts in reducing the pollution. We believe we can use this waste stream and produce a value stream in areas such as infrastructure, education, and public health.

HAITI

$8.92 billion

6.8%

10.7M

22.5 years old

GDP

UNEMPLOYMENT

POPULATION

MEDIAN AGE

$12.8 billion

5.3%

6.8M

24.7 years old

NICARAGUA

TARGET MARKET

NICARAGUA

TARGET MARKET

ODD JOBS

39.42%25-54 years

3-4 MEMBERS

1-2 BEDROOMS

REMITTANCE

KIDS LACK OF EDUCATION

65%

24%

ODD JOBS

39.42%25-54 years

3-4 MEMBERS

1-2 BEDROOMS

REMITTANCE

KIDS LACK OF EDUCATION

65%

24%

HAITI

TARGET MARKET

BENCHMARKING

GRIND&MOLD

ROPE BRICK

GARDENING

NARROWING

AS-IS BOTTLE

MILD TRANSFORM TOTAL TRANSFORM

AS-IS BOTTLE MILD TRANSFORM TOTAL TRANSFORM

Mere Reduction of Plastic Waste

Unimpactful on The Economy

Once Used, Will Become Waste Again

Do-It-Yourself

Fair Reduction

Into Softgoods

Knitting Machine

Bottle Cap Waste

Extreme Reduction

Human Labor Required

Secondary Proccessing Required

(Molding)

Requires Gas/Electricity

THE GOAL

Our goal is to allow Nicaraguan and Haitian, anywhere in the world to

transform plastic waste into valuable and beneficial things for their

economy.

DevelopMachines

Setting Machines

Spread The Know-

How

Collect Plastic Waste

Shredding Molding

DEVELOP MACHINES

FEATURES

Modular Ergonomic

Functional Sustainable

STUDY PLASTIC

PET

polyethyleneterephthalate

Clear, tough, solvent

resistant, barrier to gas and moisture, softens at 80°

HDPE

high-densitypolyethylene

Hard to semi-flexible,

resistant to chemicals

and moisture, waxy surface, softens at 75°

PVC

polyvinyl chloride

Strong, tough, can be clear and solvent,

softens at 60°

LDPE

low-densitypolyethylene

Soft, flexible, waxy surface,

scratches easily, softens

at 70°

PP

low-density polyethylene

Hard but still flexible,

waxy surface, translucent, withstands

solvents, softens at 140°

PS

polystrene

Clear, glassy, opaque, semi tough, softens

at 95°

OTHER

All Other Plastic

Properties depend on the type of plastic

TRANSLATION: “My house is your house”, a greeting to guests similar to “make yourself at home”.

“Mi casa es tu casa”

Artifacts

things people make and use

Cultural Design

Behavior

what people do

Knowledge

what people know

“Mi casa es tu casa”

Michael SteinAttorney

He frequently visited a few countries in Latin America for his work. He has Mr. Stein has also presented on disability rights internationally

Oscar GonzálezCollege Student

Currently, he lives in San Salvador, El Salvador, only 6 hours away from Nicaragua.He is studying InformationSystem Engineering.

Personal Anecdote

Lowery Stokes Sims, chief curator of Museum of Arts and Design stated:

“... traveling in the region, talking to “young designers deconstructing

design icons” and concluding that

the “upcycling of materials is almost

an aesthetic,” she wanted a title that would evoke a place “where art, craft, design and science come together.”

Latin American Design

Inspiration