(AFVAL)BAK / Provincie Zuid-Holland
The beauty
(Afval)bak - Dutch for (waste) bin - is a ‘circularity meets social impact’ project initiated by Blooey and supported by Provincie Zuid-Holland as part of their Startup in Residence program. During this project recycled materials from the central square in front of the province’s HQ were used to create a waste bin ‘made from waste’.
The cylindrical shape creates a clear and stylish icon in strong contrast to most (public) waste bins. Its simplicity allows for many design variations: 1. the application of different waste sources, 2. customising for new use contexts (e.g. at home or office), and 3. modularity by adding smart features such as integrated flower pots for improved biodiversity in cities, LED lights for better safety in public areas or a small table top for a instant picknick. This offers many opportunities to create a unique and positive ‘nudging’ experience around waste collection.
Design
Remko Verhaagen
Design Doing training
Blooey + PZH + Wij3.0
Production
Wij3.0 (Rogier, Lacey-Jane & Jeroen)
Material
100% Recycled aluminium (signage from PZH square)
100% Recycled stainless steel (grids from PZH square)
Charity
Wij3.0 (sheltered metal workshop for disadvantaged people)
Work in progress. Please mail to studio@blooey.nl for more information about the Design Doing program and product availability.
The good
The result is not only sustainable in terms of circular material use (100% recycled content except for the rivets) and local socially responsible production at Wij3.0, but it also creates awareness for circularity and waste management due to its recognisably repurposed design.
Next to that Blooey developed the Design Doing training program to facilitate a co-creation process with the team of ‘sheltered’ metal workshop Wij3.0. This workshop-based approach uses the actual design process of the waste bin and professional brainstorming tools to grow personal development. It inspires (creative) confidence for those of us who have been a bit less fortunate in life and eager for a new opportunity.
Finally the project allowed Wij3.0 to buy a (second hand) sheet metal roller that enables them to make new products in their workshop.
