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A VISIT TO THE PAST - CAST ALUMINIUM HOUSE CLEANING TOOLS

Lehtinen, Mikael (2021) In Diploma work IDEM05 20211
Industrial Design
Abstract
Unsustainable use of natural resources has been the basis for economic growth
since the industrial revolution. The linear model of extraction, processing,
consumption and disposal has brought significant environmental consequences
such as resource scarcity, pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change. The use
of plastics is one example of unsustainable human behaviour. The use of them
has offered an answer to many challenges related to modern economies but not
without a cost. The global plastics production has risen dramatically since the
1950s. In European Union, we now use 100 kg of plastics per person per year.
Plastics make up a large and growing share of solid waste around the world.
Every piece of plastic ever made still... (More)
Unsustainable use of natural resources has been the basis for economic growth
since the industrial revolution. The linear model of extraction, processing,
consumption and disposal has brought significant environmental consequences
such as resource scarcity, pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change. The use
of plastics is one example of unsustainable human behaviour. The use of them
has offered an answer to many challenges related to modern economies but not
without a cost. The global plastics production has risen dramatically since the
1950s. In European Union, we now use 100 kg of plastics per person per year.
Plastics make up a large and growing share of solid waste around the world.
Every piece of plastic ever made still exists, in some form on Earth. They are in
the air we breathe and in the water we drink.

With this project, I aim to find solutions to reduce our environmentally harmful
plastic waste generation. This report consists of theory part and productive part.
In the theory part I go through the principles of circular economy and forms
and patterns in nature. I compare recyclability of plastics and aluminium and the
environmental impacts of their production. In the first part I also go through the
important steps of designing cast products. In the productive part I am applying
the insights from the first part in the context of useful everyday objects. I use
qualitative and visual research methods to identify products that everyone needs
focusing on plastic made objects. I further conduct form studies by sketching and
prototyping with cardboard and CAD models.

The outcome of this project is a collection of cast aluminium household cleaning
supplies. The result successfully highlights circularity by simplicity, material
selection and easy separation of materials. The product family also approaches
the activities related to the household care from a more resource efficient and
less environmentally harmful angle. Also, in addition to their purpose as useful
everyday products, the carefully crafted objects are designed to inspire and
nudge people to replace plastics. (Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
Lehtinen, Mikael
supervisor
organization
course
IDEM05 20211
year
type
H2 - Master's Degree (Two Years)
subject
publication/series
Diploma work
report number
ISRN: LUT-DVIDE/ EX--21/50557-SE
other publication id
ISRN
language
English
id
9060444
date added to LUP
2021-07-05 07:29:13
date last changed
2021-07-05 07:29:13
@misc{9060444,
  abstract     = {{Unsustainable use of natural resources has been the basis for economic growth
since the industrial revolution. The linear model of extraction, processing,
consumption and disposal has brought significant environmental consequences
such as resource scarcity, pollution, biodiversity loss and climate change. The use
of plastics is one example of unsustainable human behaviour. The use of them
has offered an answer to many challenges related to modern economies but not
without a cost. The global plastics production has risen dramatically since the
1950s. In European Union, we now use 100 kg of plastics per person per year.
Plastics make up a large and growing share of solid waste around the world.
Every piece of plastic ever made still exists, in some form on Earth. They are in
the air we breathe and in the water we drink.

With this project, I aim to find solutions to reduce our environmentally harmful
plastic waste generation. This report consists of theory part and productive part.
In the theory part I go through the principles of circular economy and forms
and patterns in nature. I compare recyclability of plastics and aluminium and the
environmental impacts of their production. In the first part I also go through the
important steps of designing cast products. In the productive part I am applying
the insights from the first part in the context of useful everyday objects. I use
qualitative and visual research methods to identify products that everyone needs
focusing on plastic made objects. I further conduct form studies by sketching and
prototyping with cardboard and CAD models.

The outcome of this project is a collection of cast aluminium household cleaning
supplies. The result successfully highlights circularity by simplicity, material
selection and easy separation of materials. The product family also approaches
the activities related to the household care from a more resource efficient and
less environmentally harmful angle. Also, in addition to their purpose as useful
everyday products, the carefully crafted objects are designed to inspire and
nudge people to replace plastics.}},
  author       = {{Lehtinen, Mikael}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  note         = {{Student Paper}},
  series       = {{Diploma work}},
  title        = {{A VISIT TO THE PAST - CAST ALUMINIUM HOUSE CLEANING TOOLS}},
  year         = {{2021}},
}