methodology

Key conclusions from the Discovery phase:

• Plastic is used for many purposes; some noble, some ignoble
• Ocean-borne plastic debris may be collected before it washes up on the beaches
• Mixed plastics (different recycling categories) can be recycled together
• “Disposable consumerism” is a large component of our collective culture
• To limit ocean-borne (and beach) plastic debris, collection/recycling efforts must be combined with education to “turn off the faucet” of plastics entering our waste streams

Refined Research Question:

Can we collect plastic ocean debris before it arrives on our beaches and use it to develop products that will enhance the beach-going experience?

Design Goals:

1. Collect plastic debris in the open ocean or nearshore environment
2. Recycle the ocean-borne, mixed plastic debris; produce building materials
3. Assemble nearshore or beach-based ‘playground equipment’
4. Enhance the beach-going experience

Design Criteria:

System scale

1. Achieve net-zero energy
2. Minimize human input/operation (autonomous)
3. Minimize impact to open ocean/nearshore life
4. Mitigate rough seas (withstand/hunker down/redeploy)
5. Collect floating debris
6. Process debris
7. Melt/compress mixed plastic – produce building materials

Product scale (object-scale/human experience scale)

1. Remain stationary or minimally mobile (beach (B)); react to tide, wave, wind influence (nearshore (NS))
2. Resist elements; do not flake or degrade
3. Tread lightly; avoid extensive ‘foundations’ and additional building material/support
4. Enhance beach-going experience; concepts listed below (perhaps more than one form from common building blocks):
5. Shade from direct sunlight B/NS
6. Screen wind B
7. Keep towels, clothes, etc. dry B
8. Provide dog tie out B
9. Provide fishing rod holders B/NS
10. Transport beach equipment (food, towels, clothes, balls, sunblock, etc.) B
11. Provide seating/lounging options/support B/NS
12. Unprogrammed use – jumping off, climbing, sitting, laying (bench and play structure at once) B/NS
13. Support fishing, snorkeling, diving NS
14. Support water activities – nearshore staging area for snacks, water, sunscreen, equipment (similar to floating ski lodge) NS
15. Provide access to deeper water NS
16. Cordon deeper water, jellyfish, man-o-war, fragile nearshore sea life (create, highlight, protect ‘shallow pool’) NS