WK01. Project initial brainstorm
My project brainstorm has been informed by the outcome that I produced for the Human-Computer Interaction unit developed during Y2. This project served as a starting point that helped me to generate different ideas around the subject of plastic waste in wild environments, more specifically in coastal areas. I would like to highlight that my stubbornness to keep pushing this project come from the experiences I have lived in Bahía Málaga, Colombia.
In September 2022, I embarked on a trip to the Colombian Pacific with a group of friends, primarily for tourism. In our mission to see whales and connect with nature we found a shocking fact that all of us were aware of, but perhaps had never seen with our own eyes: plastic waste in the ocean and along the beaches. As we walked, barefoot, we saw bottles trapped between rocks and driftwood. This scene repeated itself as we explored the mangroves, and when we were in open sea looking for whales. Plastic, in different shapes and colours in a place where it shouldn’t be. This heartbreaking realization took us from a state of leisure to a state of reflection. We were unable to enjoy our “holidays” in the face of the crude truth, surrounded by it, living it.
This trip was the inspiration for my HCI project, so I would like to start with a recap of the final outcome of my HCI idea.
Taking the Precious Plastic Workshop
In August of 2023 I decided to travel again to Bahía Málaga, and in this opportunity I had the the pleasure of taking part in the Precious Plastic Workshop I had so much researched. We had a packed 5 days itinerary in which we learned about the objective of the Precious Plastic Open Source project, their impact, their engagement with the community and their plans for the future. This trip allowed me to experience first-hand the laborious work of picking up plastic rubbish from the beach, cleaning it and classifying it. This experience helped me to understand the viability of my idea.
Possible applications to Scientific expeditions
Taking the workshop helped me to understand what was possible within the constraints of the place, as well as the community itself. It was an enriching experience that further shaped my thinking and aided me in framing my ideas under realistic expectations.
One of the key aspects that the leader of the project mentioned, was the constant ‘scientific sampling’ that is done in the different beaches of Bahía Málaga to determine which kind of plastics are the most present in the area. The group is also on a mission to trace back the origins of the plastics that are reaching the area. By collecting this data, they aim to reach local authorities and demand action for correct waste management and perhaps even a change in policy regarding the use of plastics in the region.
The method they currently use to collect the information is manual in combination with an app that logs in GIS (geographic information system) data. This app, called ArcGIS Quick Capture, allows for capturing geographic data on the go. This manual logging of information got me thinking about whether technology might speed the process and help them collect more realiable data. Could this be used during the rubbish collection phase of the workshop?
Secondary project idea
In an attempt to step aside from the Precious Plastic project, I quickly sketched an alternative idea that had been in my mind. In my observations on how London’s rubbish is collected, I thought of a way in which the collection could be optimized and at the same time reward people for producing less rubbish. The main idea consists of a ‘smart bin’ which tracks the amount of rubbish that is placed within. This information is reflected in an App that tells the owner of the bins how much waste they have produced, and what kind of waste. In the bin itself, I thought of some light indicators that make the collection process a lot more speedy by informing which bins are at full capacity and ready to be taken by the garbage truck.
This is an idea that would require a big infrastructure. I did some quick research and there are already smart bins that track their contents, however, I haven’t seen a reward scheme in which people are encouraged to reduce their waste.
Empowering people about their waste would be a key factor to shift their relationship with rubbish, and in many ways inform their consumption habits.
Choosing a Project & Initial Project Considerations
After some consideration (and also drive and interest) I have decided to stay with the App digital solution for the Uramba Precious Plastic scientific expeditions. This is a project that is very close to my heart. In an attempt to also direction the project towards the skills I would like to demonstrate and that might drive my next steps after university, I had create a small chart outlining the skills that will help me to develop this project. This follows the advice given in the brief: ” This project should be seen as a major part of how you will address your chosen graduate destination”.
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