Activate by Mene Laus

AC T I VAT E

MAKING A SUSTAINABLE WATER PURIFIER

IRISA X IONG

2013

TABLE OF CONTENTS

01 02 03 04 05

INTRODUCTION Design Philosophy

LIVING IN A CHEMICAL BATH Understanding Water in the World Today Piles and Piles of Plastic

SOURCING CARBON

The Hidden Potential of Activated Carbon Choosing Ethical and Local

DESIGNING ARTIFACT

Market Research on Water Filters Steeping Charcoal Like Fine Tea Designing Value, Marketing Lifestyle Introducing Activate

A SUSTAINABLE SYSTEM Globally Local A Complete Cycle With Earth Conclusion

Design Philosophy Design is and always will be part of my life. It is the tool I use to connect with science, art, craft, and people, as well as a growing process of what it means to live with intent and service that intent for others. I make with a wide variety of mediums such as pigment, wood, computer, and air. I design for simplicity. I begin with a context, continue with a narrative, and complement with a system. I strive to redefine the perception of quality in common objects and open space. Perception is a highly sensitive experience and must take into serious consideration various topics like philosophy, tangibility, form, scale, health, and emotion. All media becomes relevant. Therefore, I stay curious and live consciously to better apply my design practice.

unprocessed materials honest aesthetics humble functionality health & wellness social engagement efficient systems sustainable practice conscious consumption conscious living

LIVING IN A CHEMICAL BATH

pesticides fertilizers nitrates smog & smoke acid rain storm runoff chemical spills landfills toxic waste added chlorine & fluoride copper & lead pipes

POLLUTED WATER

Understanding Water in the World Today New York, NY

The prospect of pure, regulated water in the U.S, let alone the world, stands bleak. Even New York Cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s water, world-renowned for its high quality of purity, cannot escape the contamination of chemicals. In a study conducted by the DEP, the water was found to have trace concentrations of heart medicine, estrogen, anti-convulsants, mood stabilizers, and tranquilizers, as well as lead exceeding the EPA benchmark. Additionally, large amounts of toxic chemicals legally go unregulated, such as Dichloroacetic acid, Chloroform, Bromodichloromethane,

Trihalomethane, Haloacetic acid, Trichloroacetic acid, Bromoform, and Dibromochloromethane. The effects of long-term exposure and varying combinations of these chemicals remains unknown in their ill health effects.

Pesticides Acid Rain Fertilizers Industry

Nitrates

Chemical Spills

Toxic W

Chlorides Fluorides Lead Nitrate PCBs Chloroform Radionuclides Vinyl Chlorid Tetrachloride Chlorine Trihalomethane Asbestos Arsenic Dioxin Cryptosporidi

SOURCES OF WATE

Waste

Air Pollution Smoke and Smog Chlorine Fluoride Municipal Treatment Sewage

Nitrates

Lead Pipes

s Nitrate Selenium Batium Chromium des Copper Chlordane Mercury Carbon Dissolved Solids MTBC Aluminum ium Dichloroacetic acid Haloacetic acids

ER CONTAMINATION

POOR CONSUMPTION SYSTEM

Piles and Piles of Plastic In conjuntion to increasingly polluted water, the plastic water bottle design has created poor consumer habits that drive convenience over responsibility. Plastic itself is also is a very toxic material to produce and process, as well as eventually leeching that toxicity through its use as a food container or as chemical off-gas in its disintegration.

1 bottle of water requires 3 bottles of water to produce. Bottled water consumes 2,000 times more energy than tap water.

Bottled water costs 10,000 times more than tap water in the U.S.

30,000,000 bottles end up in landfills everyday.

SOURCING CARBON

The Hidden Potential of Activated Carbon

DETOXIFIER

• radiation purification • air filtration • chemical purification • metal extraction • poison treatment • water purification

COMMERCIAL CHARCOAL UNSUSTAINABLE LOGGING

DEFORESTATION DESERTIFICATION

ILLEGAL CHARCOAL TRADE

Choosing Ethical and Local

1 2 3 4 5 6

CHAR. Turn the food waste into charcoal by heating the waste material in a sealed container for 400F+. RINSE. Wash the charcoal of ashes and other impurities and then let dry. OXYGENATE. Place the charcoal in a 25% solution of a strong acid / base / salt and let it sit for 24 hours. RINSE AGAIN. Drain the solution from the charcoal. Keep the charcoal damp and begin the next step. HEAT. Place the container in an oven set at 250F and heat for 3 hours. REST. Let the charcoal cool.

MAKING CARBON OUT OF FOOD WASTE

by ACTIVATE

LOW-IMPACT LOCAL PRODUCTION

D ES I G N I N G A RT I FAC T Considering existing product designs in the market, from the most popular Brita Filter to the high-end artisinal charcoal, and everything in between.

A design with a take-back program. The downfall is that it still relies on plastics production as a material source.

Market Research on Water Filters

The top 3 most well-known filters, Pur, Bobble, and Brita. Shown with their corresponding filter replacements.

high-end artisinal natural charcoal filters

Sculptural charcoal filter one-off designs by Formafantasma.

Two notable filter designs by Kishu and Black+Blum that eliminate the need for a plastic cartridge by using highend binchotan charcoal. They do, however, use some plastic packaging. Additionally, these designs still require logging hardwood forests and have weak distribution systems that make it not easily accesible to a consumer.

Build upon what BRITA offers.... HEALTH & WELLNESS

SOCIAL ENGAGEMENT

SUSTAINABILITY

As Brita still remains the most accessible and popular water purifier for urban consumers, a new purifier design that considers its strengths and weaknesses as well as the strategies of other natural filters will be directly compared to it.

FUNCTIONALITY

HONESTY TO MATERIAL

BRITA

AESTHETICS

ACTIVATE

....and improve what it lacks.

WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF BUYING THIS PRODUCT? HEALTH - active charcoal that chemically binds to harmful cleanses your body of pollutants that accumulate.

toxins and

ENVIRONMENT - made of agricultural waste that is locally sourced (and when youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re done, plants love it!). COMMUNITY - connecting with your local farmers who provide fresh produce. AWARENESS - understanding where your resources come from and how you can support efficient systems.

INGREDIENTS Activated charcoal DIRECTIONS Place the bag in any water container (recommended 50 fluid oz or less). Fill with tap water. Steep for 30 min or as long as possible. Drink and repeat. DISPOSAL Compost the charcoal bag. Your plants will love the nutrients!

ACTIVA CUBES

infuser + loose leaf tea filter + activated charcoal

Steeping Charcoal Like Fine Tea

Designing Value, Marketing Lifestyle

ACTIVATE PURE WATER.

How is it made? Local agricultural waste is dried, and then fired in a kiln until it becomes highly porous charcoal, also known as activated carbon.

Packaging design drafts to illustrate How does it work? â&#x20AC;&#x153;purityâ&#x20AC;? as a visual attraction to consumers. Activated carbon has many internal pores on a molecular level, which chemically bond to toxins and heavy metals. Fill up your ACTIVATE purifier with charcoal and place it into any water vessel. Simply by letting the carbon steep in your water, it will keep purifying it. A minimum of 30 minutes is recommended for every standard water bottle size. How long will it last?

THIS The carbon can clean upIS to 50 L of water, or around 2 months of dailyWATER use. PURIFIED How do I dispose of it? After the carbon is fully saturated, it will need to be replaced. The old carbon can be disposed of as compost and is a great BY ACTIVATE. nutrient boost for your plants!

THIS IS WATER PURIFIED

BY ACTIVATE.

Introducing Activate

AC T I VAT E Clean Water in a Sustainable World

Activate is a sustainable water purifier that filters tap water so that individuals are empowered to having clean drinking water while also supporting an ethical product and responsible consumption.

sleek. simple. beautiful. durable.

using the filter

ACTIVATE IN USE

Store charcoal in a cool, dry, dark location in a sealed container.

using the filter

Store charcoal in a cool, dry, dark location in a sealed container.

Change every 1 - 3 months depending on the amount of water being filtered

charcoal disposal Treat the charcoal as compost. Use it as nutrients for your plant!

Change every 1 - 3 months depending on the amount of water being filtered

charcoal disposal Treat the charcoal as compost. Use it as nutrients for your plant!

REPLACE BY:

A S USTA IN

Lo San Francisco

New York City

ACTIVATE GLOBAL M

N A B LE SYST E M

ondon

MAP

Paris Beijing

Tokyo

material and fabrication (filter) material, production, and distribution (charcoal) product distribution (filter)

Charcoal sold as a bulk good in the healt

th section....

....or at the local market.

A Complete Cycle with Earth EARTH PETROLEUM FRACTION

TIMBER LOGGING

COAL EXTRACTION

PETROCHEMICAL PROCESSING

CHARCOAL PRODUCTION

PLASTIC PRODUCTION

BRITA PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE

ASSEMBLY DISTRIBUTION RECYCLE

USE DISPOSAL

LANDFILL

CROP WASTE COLLECTION

AGRICULTURE

CHARCOAL PRODUCTION

EARTH DISPOSAL

ACTIVATE PRODUCT LIFE CYCLE DISTRIBUTION METAL FABRICATION

SCRAP METAL COLLECTION

DAMAGE

DISTRIBUTION

USE

Conclusion

PROMOTES

ELIMINATES

clean drinking water sustainable awareness drinking tap water natural materials local production ethical labor

plastic production unsustainable logging plastic consumption extensive shipping landfill

Water is like air. It is a necessity. Yet no one can choose

the quality

of their natural water. Empower your needs.

Choose Activate.