Green Hunger Inclusive Recycling Bins by Kin Wai Michael SIU |
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| DESIGN NAME: Green Hunger PRIMARY FUNCTION: Inclusive Recycling Bins INSPIRATION: Many campaigns nowadays exclude VI from the society. They are unable to join environmental sustainability activities and contribute to the society. It is important and necessary to provide opportunities for VI to participate in the recycling. Thus, it is necessary to understand VI’s needs and difficulties in accessing recycling facilities. The inclusiveness that Green Hunger promotes can definitely make a difference to their participations and thus make our world more peaceful and green. UNIQUE PROPERTIES / PROJECT DESCRIPTION: Green Hunger is a set of recycling bins which aims to promote environmental sustainability through the image of baby birds. Its form illustrates the ‘hungry’, ‘eagerness’ and ‘urgency’ of an eco-friendly environment. Apart from the highly contrast colours used and the smart interactive device installed inside the bins for visually impaired (VI), the simple, attractive and smart design and structure makes it easy to install, replace, repair and manage. OPERATION / FLOW / INTERACTION: People can throw recyclables into the bins according to the types of the bins. For VI, their mobile phone will receive a message telling them that they are near to the bins. The message will also tell them the direction and the distance of the bins. When they approach and walk across the bins, another message will be sent to assist them to identify different types of the bins. The signal will also tell the VI where the opening is so that the VI can throw recyclables without touching the bins. PROJECT DURATION AND LOCATION: The project started in January 2014 and finished in August 2014 in Hong Kong. FITS BEST INTO CATEGORY: Social Design |
PRODUCTION / REALIZATION TECHNOLOGY: The smart digital interactive device inside the bins is operated by a dry cell or a solar-cell battery. It sends out Bluetooth signals, and the VI can use mobile phone to receive the signals and identify the bins. The newly invented hooking system for holding plastic bag simplifies the bin structure and helps cleaners to clear the recyclables easily. The materials selected, i.e. recycling stainless metal sheet (body) and silicon or PVC (the openings), are durable and economic. SPECIFICATIONS / TECHNICAL PROPERTIES: 1200mm x 400mm x 400mm TAGS: Recycling bins, visually impaired, environmental sustainability, street furniture, inclusive, green RESEARCH ABSTRACT: Qualitative research was conducted to understand the needs and concerns of people with different capabilities, e.g. VI, older people and children when they use recycling bins. Participatory workshops and interviews were conducted, and it is found that the participants, especially the VI, felt uncomfortable to touch the recycling bins. This unpleasant experience hinders them from using the bins as well as participating in recycling. This issue is thus addressed in the design of Green Hunger. CHALLENGE: The most challenging task during the development of the project is to refresh VI’s experience of using the recycling bins and let them understand that the society is also hunger for their contribution and there is urgency for them to participate. Internal factors include VI’s prior experience, emotions and attitudes. External factors include the design and technology involved and collaboration possibilities with the government as well as the NGOs. ADDED DATE: 2015-01-28 14:21:10 TEAM MEMBERS (4) : Kin Wai Michael Siu, Chi Hang Paul Lo, Poonkei Engineering Company and IMAGE CREDITS: Kin Wai Michael SIU , 2014. |
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NAME: Public Design Lab, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University PROFILE: Promote and develop public design; Advocate and develop FlexiDesign; Advocate and develop an all-round approach in public design; Advocate and develop inclusive public design; Promote d*hk® (i.e. Designed in, by and for Hong Kong); Promote and develop sustainable public environments, facilities and street furniture; Respect, consider and serve the needs and preferences of the deprived, persons with disabilities and persons with special needs; Promote design collaboration with government departments, NGOs, academic and research institutions, and professional bodies at policy, implementation and management levels; Provide professional consultancy on public design; Promote interdisciplinary research on public design; and Nurture designers with creativity, and cultural and social awareness in public design. |
| AWARD DETAILS | |
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Green Hunger Inclusive Recycling Bins by Kin Wai Michael Siu is Runner-up for A' Design Award in Social Design Category, 2014 - 2015.· Press Members: Login or Register to request an exclusive interview with Kin Wai Michael SIU . · Click here to register inorder to view the profile and other works by Kin Wai Michael SIU . |
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