Ideate and Prototype

Ideate #1

As we found out from the Empathize Step that recycling plastic is an effective solution to the plastic waste problem, we decided to design a plastic recycling bin that motivates our ACS community to recycle plastic.

We wrote down some ideas that would make the recycling bin more visually pleasing so that our ACS community gets motivated to recycle.

Prototype #1

Plastic recycling bin that has “Plastic Only” sign and is blue colored.

Why is there a big “Plastic Only” sign?

To catch people’s attention and make them recycle.

Why is it colored blue?

It is the most commonly used color for recycling bins
It has an effect to make people feel more safe and trustful, which may motivate people to care more about the environment.

Ideate #2

As we designed our first prototype, we realized that the recycling bin lacks features that would motivate our community to recycle. The blue color and “Plastic Only” labels are common in other recycling bins as well. So our first prototype didn’t seem stand out.

We decided to add more features (using plastic water bottles, water bottle shaped, transparent) that would catch people’s attention and motivate them to recycle.

Prototype #2

A water bottle shaped recycling bin that is see-through.

Why did we decrease the size of the bin?

To increase the quantity rather than the individual capacity
Creating more recycling bins makes recycling more accessible to the ACS community

Why is it a water bottle shaped?

Recycling bins look more visually pleasing for the ACS community which will encourage them to use the product.

Why is it see-through?

To make people aware of the impact they are having on our environment (they can actually look at the amount of trash they recycle)

Resource List

Plastic water bottles (around 50)
A plastic glue gun
A Stapler
Utility knives
A saw

Collecting Resources

In order to collect the resources (plastic bottles), we created a bin that people can throw away non-reusable plastic water bottles.

We placed this bin near the cafeteria where most people pass by and throw away their trash.

We created a QR Code for our website and attached it to our bin, so people can see how these water bottles will be used.

QR Code for our website

Design Plan - Prototype 1

Collect 0.5L non-reusable plastic water bottles.
Take off the lids and labels
Using a box cutter -on a silicon mat- cut the bottle in half length wise
Line up 6 of the now cut bottles side to side
Staple the ends together
then using a hot glue gun. glue the seals shut
Once you have 4 rows, connect together to make a square
repeat steps 4-7 two mores times
Stack the levels on top of each other and stable them shut
Fill 3 uncut 1.5L bottles with sand, this will be used for the base

This is our 3D model for Prototype 1

Challenges

Unfortunately, our first prototype was a failure. We had cut and connected the plastic bottle halves together to create a six by six bottle bin wall. We tried to place a parallel layer on top, but the wall was too weak and unstable. So we changed our idea...

We are still using our initial plan to create a recycling-plastic-waterbottle bin out of plastic water bottles, but this time using big plastic water bottles.

Design Plan - Prototype 2

1. Using box cutters, we cut off the top of two different water bottles and the bottom of another to separate water bottles.

2. We stuck them on top of each other using a glue gun.

3. The bottom water bottle will be filled with sand so it is a firm base that will keep the bin stable on the ground.

4. Repeat steps 1 to 3 until we you have a collection of bottles stacked on top of each other.

5. Connect them all to create a a circle which will become the bin.

6. We wrapped tapes around so that the plastic bottle is more stable.

7. We put the QR codes of our website and "Plastic Only" signs on our plastic recycling bin.

Data Collection

DATA COLLECTION SHEET

Based on the data, we found out that our recycling bin is more effective in the cafeteria than in the LC. Although the rate of recycling (the percent of people who recycled) were similar in both areas, there were more overall amount of trash thrown in the cafeteria. Since there are more people including middle school and elementary school students staying in the cafeteria during lunch or break, there were more chances at the cafeteria that the trash was recycled.

Challenges

Overall, our prototype was successful. Many people recycled and realized the impact of recycling plastic. However, we had one problem with the structure of our prototype. The bottom part of our prototype, which is made of cardboard, soaked up water and started tearing apart. It broke the overall shape of our recycling bin.

In order to solve this issue, we decided to use 3D printing material for the bottom of our recycling bin. First of all, it is easy to make and cheap. Also, it doesn't soak up the water, so it has less risk of breaking.

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