Looking around at social problems, one that I react to pretty strongly is the issue of trash. Especially after having just returned to the "real world" from Burning Man, the differences in the level of the population in the preservation and care of their surroundings is vast. I see the genesis of many of the social issues that bother me split into 2 groups: lack of empathy with those different than yourself, and a lack of personal responsibility for your actions. The first set is harder to solve, so for the moment, I'm focusing on the second set.
For me trash falls into this catagory. At Burning Man you have a created city where nothing stands naturally, and is inhabited by upwards of 50,000 people. The event is a Leave No Trace event, everything that comes in, goes out with you. Trash is referred to as MOOP (Matter Out Of Place), and if you see MOOP on the ground, you pick it up. People are expected to be responsible, and it works. A city of 50,000 people cleans up after themselves. Then I come back, and I see trash everywhere. It seems tht you can't get 50 people to clean up after themselves, much less 50,000. So what's the difference? People care. People feel like a real part of the culture and their surroundings. There is no "they", there is only "us". Your actions determine the future.
On to the project. So I have 2 thoughts on possible projects. One is directed at the larger problem of litter. (on left side of sketch) I see trash, and I would pick it up, but I don't have anything to put it into, and carrying around germy trash bare-handed seems like a bad idea. So a solution is to create a carrying device that would contain bags to use to put the trash into. The inspiration for this came from a friends dog leash. He has a clip-on holder that has a roll of doggie bags, so that when you take the dog for a walk, it's convenient and easy to pick up after them. Initial concept is a bracelet that has several bags. Further thoughts have led to the following considerations: using biodegradable and compostable bags- biobags. Jan has a box of them in the office and these are the perfect solution- I don;t want to create more waste in solving waste.... They have a pet size which should work well. The design should be attractive and lightweight enough to wear. Opening for the bags: should they be elegant? Cheeky? Refilling the bags should be easy and simple. Also, what do you do with the filled bags if there is no trash can nearby? Solution: Have a stylish reusable washable bag as the inside liner of the bracelet that can be removed and the bags can go in there. Possible use of antibacterial liner?
Second concept was inspired by Amy- a place to put cigarette butts when there isn't a trashcan/ashtray nearby (on right in sketch). The idea on this is to do a locket where the butt goes in the top either through a hinged opening or a rubber membrane. The locket has an air filter worked in so that the smell is neutralized. The locket would also open on the bottom to allow for easy emptying of the butts. Considerations: easy to insert cigarette butts, spill proof, no smell, easy to clean
For me trash falls into this catagory. At Burning Man you have a created city where nothing stands naturally, and is inhabited by upwards of 50,000 people. The event is a Leave No Trace event, everything that comes in, goes out with you. Trash is referred to as MOOP (Matter Out Of Place), and if you see MOOP on the ground, you pick it up. People are expected to be responsible, and it works. A city of 50,000 people cleans up after themselves. Then I come back, and I see trash everywhere. It seems tht you can't get 50 people to clean up after themselves, much less 50,000. So what's the difference? People care. People feel like a real part of the culture and their surroundings. There is no "they", there is only "us". Your actions determine the future.
On to the project. So I have 2 thoughts on possible projects. One is directed at the larger problem of litter. (on left side of sketch) I see trash, and I would pick it up, but I don't have anything to put it into, and carrying around germy trash bare-handed seems like a bad idea. So a solution is to create a carrying device that would contain bags to use to put the trash into. The inspiration for this came from a friends dog leash. He has a clip-on holder that has a roll of doggie bags, so that when you take the dog for a walk, it's convenient and easy to pick up after them. Initial concept is a bracelet that has several bags. Further thoughts have led to the following considerations: using biodegradable and compostable bags- biobags. Jan has a box of them in the office and these are the perfect solution- I don;t want to create more waste in solving waste.... They have a pet size which should work well. The design should be attractive and lightweight enough to wear. Opening for the bags: should they be elegant? Cheeky? Refilling the bags should be easy and simple. Also, what do you do with the filled bags if there is no trash can nearby? Solution: Have a stylish reusable washable bag as the inside liner of the bracelet that can be removed and the bags can go in there. Possible use of antibacterial liner?
Second concept was inspired by Amy- a place to put cigarette butts when there isn't a trashcan/ashtray nearby (on right in sketch). The idea on this is to do a locket where the butt goes in the top either through a hinged opening or a rubber membrane. The locket has an air filter worked in so that the smell is neutralized. The locket would also open on the bottom to allow for easy emptying of the butts. Considerations: easy to insert cigarette butts, spill proof, no smell, easy to clean
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LOVE, LOVE, HEART,HEART
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