The Sustainable Smartbottle: A Proposed Design Methodology to Minimize Plastic Pollution

Abstract

Plastic production worldwide exceeds 300 million tons per year. About 3% of that production represents 8 million tons of plastic annually reaching rivers, seas and oceans. Plastic water bottles are a major example of everyday waste that directly impacts the economic and ecological sustainability. Based on literature review, this work presents a problem definition, objectives and methodological process to be implemented by a multidisciplinary team of designers, engineers and managers for the future design of a sustainable smartbottle. The main goal is the reduction of plastic pollution from the IPVC academic community. The proposed methodology includes participatory design concepts to increase the engagement of end-users and to refine the smartbottle design, based on four core criteria: functionality (volume, ergonomics), interoperability (communication technologies), sustainability (materials), and cost. The hybrid methodology is intended to foster design solutions focusing on target users and their needs. Engineers will also collaborate on the problem solving process towards the production of different prototypes. An interactive process from an early stage may potentially drive the practice of design alongside other scientific areas, canvassing theoretical knowledge and practical ability. Nonetheless, it should be noted that the project is at an embryonic stage and as such the results may not be assured, and future results may in fact impact the proposed methodological process.