p
o
CALEB AMUNDSON. IAPD 822. SEBNEM DEMIRK AN. SPRING 2017.
plumb
o
To the nth degree.
This project aims to reduce textile waste by creating a sustainable collection, recycling, and retail experience for millennials.
Problem. Production.
1 kg polyester (12.5 kg CO2)
20 gal water
20% of all water pollution
creates
625%
more CO2
to produce
Consumption.
Disposal. in 2015
of which
1 kg
$23.9 b
$121.7 b
30.2 b
25.6 b
steel
US FTC* exports
US FTC* imports
lbs textile waste
lbs go to a landfill
$1.2 t
$1786
despite being
15%
(2 kg CO2)
1 lb textile
comes from FTC* including carcinogens (dioxins, formaledhyde, heavy metals, alkali salt)
global industry
&
per US household each year
*Fibers, textiles, and clothing. All statistics from 2013-15 via CTR & NPR.
95% recyclable
only
donated or recycled
So what’s the solution?
Goals.
1 Goal 1. Educate the public about textile waste, commodity, and practical steps toward a sustainable future. 1. Showcase the design, sourcing, production, retail, and reuse/recycling processes as a teaching tool within the retail truck. 2. Encourage textile recycling through convenient, accessible collection as well as intrinsic and extrinsic motivation.
2 Goal 2.
3 Goal 3.
Promote holistic sustainability and user engagement through the retail truck.
Create an ergonomically correct backpack that encourages sustainable behavior.
1. Use biofuel or renewable energy to power the vehicle.
1. Utilize the cradle-to-cradle design framework to benchmark sustainability.
2. Appeal to Millennials through a tailored retail experience.
2. Encourage the use of alternative transportation through capacity and adaptability for cyclists and walkers.
3. Use recycled, repurposed, local, or highly recyclable materials and products to construct and operate the retail truck.
3. Provide user adjustability to accomodate diverse body dimensions.
1 2
Washington, D.C.
Users. Top 3 cities. Based on cost, social life, jobs, bikeability, & transportation.
Austin, TX
Top 3 careers.
3
Based on salary, security, and growth.
Denver, CO
Millennials. Optimistic, impulsive, experience consumers.
1 2
Healthcare
Technology
3
Retail
Big questions. How do we make products sustainably — ecologically, ethically, and economically? How do we reduce waste at every stage — production, packaging, shipping, retail, transport home, use, end of life? How do we create products that consumers connect with emotionally to ensure longterm investment? How do we make just what we need, not excess? How do we encourage a lifestyle change, not just sell products, to transform the consumption cycle?
Concept. A pendulum always seeks equilibrium: a point of balance in all directions where both the mass and suspension form a plumb line. How is sustainability really possible in a capitalistic society: one driven entirely by supply and demand, by continued stimulus of products entering and being consumed, over and over? A balance must be struck between idealistic sustainability and consumerism for the system to be changed in a meaningful way. A pendulum, swinging back and forth between consumer interest and sustainability, will reveal a final balance point that real change can stem from.
Three components. Recycling System.
Retail Environment.
Backpack Touchpoint.
System. 1. PLUMB RETAIL & RECYCLING
2. COLLECT CLOTHING
3. RECONSTITUTE FABRIC
9. SELL TO CONSUMER
4. SELL/ PROVIDE FABRIC SELL TO OPEN MARKET
8. SHIP TO PLUMB
7. CUT, SEW, & FINISH
PROVIDE TO PLUMB DESIGNERS
CREATE A CERTIFIED LIST
6. MAKE PATTERN
5. DESIGN PRODUCT
Truck.
Truck. PROVISIONS CASHWRAP RECYCLING COLLECTION
CHANGING ROOM
Option 1.
STORAGE
REPAIR COUNTER
APPAREL
EQUIPMENT
Option 2.
Truck. SECURE CASH STORAGE IN VAN CAB
RECYCLING STORAGE
RESTOCK
OVERHEAD PANEL
DROP OFF
CUSTOMER BUFFER EMPLOYEE
Truck.
FITTING ROOM
EQUIPMENT
Floor plan. SCALE: 1/16” = 1’0”
EQUIPMENT
PROVISIONS
APPAREL
CASHWRAP & REPAIR
PRODUCT STORAGE
RECYCLING STORAGE
SECURE STORAGE
Truck.
Interior perspective.
Truck.
Left elevation. SCALE: 1/16” = 1’0”
Truck.
Right elevation. SCALE: 1/16” = 1’0”
Branding.
Backpack.
Backpack.
Backpack.
Paper.
Pattern.
Muslin.
To test proportion and scale, I started with a paper mock up.
From that model, my sister helped me make a pattern.
The next step was sewing a muslin mock up with a pocket.
Backpack.
Canvas.
New pattern.
Dyeing.
After iterating, I made a canvas prototype with fasteners.
After testing the canvas bag, I made a new pattern improving weaknesses of the first design.
My friend Kat helped me dye the final canvas with red onion skin.
Kombucha leather.
Brewing.
Drying.
Processing.
It took about 52 days and 3 “meals� for the kombucha leather to grow.
After a wash and rinse, the SCOBY dried out on a piece of plywood.
Finally, pattern pieces were cut from the sheet of mostly dried SCOBY.
Padding.
Hydrogel.
Lacto-plastic.
100% Merino felt.
I experimented with creating chia seed hydrogel as a potential padding for inside the straps.
The idea was to encase the hydrogel in a biodegradable milk-based plastic, but the test failed.
I arrived at using 100% natural Merino felt, which is beautiful, durable, and hydrophobic.
Accessories.
Conclusion. How do we make products sustainably — ecologically, ethically, and economically?
p
o
CALEB AMUNDSON. IAPD 822. SEBNEM DEMIRK AN. SPRING 2017.