ISLA UNIKA FOUNDATION
How might we engage the community from Isla Grande, Cartagena to repurpose plastic, transforming waste into valuable products and turning a challenge into a solution?
Role
Lead User Experience
Client
Fundación Isla Unika (Cartagena, CO)
Timeline
3 months
Team
Industrial Designer, Sociologist
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Challenge
The escalating issue of plastic pollution in marine environments presents a critical challenge, particularly for the residents of Isla Grande, who face the dilemma of preventing island-generated waste from contaminating the ocean. The foundation aims to ignite a passion for plastic reuse among the community. The goal is for the community to craft useful products from collected plastic.
Approach
The team conducted two focus groups within the community, engaging leadership figures and younger members. Additionally, we interviewed various stakeholders involved in waste collection, the island’s tourism sector, and recycling expertise.
Insights:
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Inspiration is Key: Many islanders, having limited exposure to the broader world, lacked ideas on potential uses for different plastics. Introducing inspirational examples and success stories became crucial to spark creativity and initiative for creating new products.
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Roles and Training: For new initiatives to succeed, we recognized the importance of establishing career pathways and a concrete growth strategy to encourage widespread participation.
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Integrating Sustainability into the Identity: With sustainability becoming an enduring trend, highlighting and promoting the island's efforts in ocean preservation and plastic reuse emerged as a potent attraction for future tourists. This strategy not only positions the island as an eco-conscious destination but also engages more people in efforts to clean our oceans.
Recycling experts explaining the sharing economy benefits and giving plastic a new life.
First training to the community on how to make new products out of recycled plastic. (The examples were brought from Infinte Plastic and Preciuos Plastic)
Outcome
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Initiated a process where the community transforms collected plastic waste into new products like lamps.
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Developed a unique brand that mirrors reef aesthetics, promoting the sale of these lamps in urban areas. Empowered the community to start their own production of a variety of products derived from plastic.
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Established a sustainable design process that encourages urban consumers to contribute their plastic waste, which is then transformed into new products.
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Lamp design made out of recycled plastic.