Design Study | pr-ide | 2017<\/p>\n
Sometimes it’s the little things that really bring a social issue into sharp focus.<\/p>\n
When someone discards returnable bottles in public spaces, they aren’t just throwing away an empty bottle. They are also throwing away a small amount of money. For other people, that very amount can make a difference. <\/p>\n
Returnable bottles have therefore long been a part of the cityscape\u2014as have people rummaging through public trash cans for them. This situation is not only unsanitary but also raises questions of dignity. <\/p>\n
A simple observation. A creative response. <\/p>\n
In 2017, we at pr-ide designed the \u201cPfandstifter\u201d\u2014a concept intended to make the return of returnable bottles in public spaces easier and more natural.<\/p>\n
The idea: Returnable bottles and cans don’t have to end up in the trash. Instead, they can be placed in a specially designed holder on the outside of the trash can. Visible, accessible, and without anyone having to rummage through the trash. <\/p>\n
A small change to an existing system that can alter people’s behavior.<\/p>\n
Our goal in developing this product was not simply to design an additional container.<\/p>\n
The question was how product design can support a social gesture.<\/p>\n
The deposit bin should not require any new infrastructure but should instead integrate seamlessly into the existing street furniture. Its distinctive shape and color scheme make its function immediately recognizable and clearly distinguish it from the actual trash can. <\/p>\n
The process is incredibly simple: If you want to return a returnable bottle, just set it down. If you want to take one, you can take it. <\/p>\n
No explanation, no technical hurdles, no additional interaction.<\/p>\n
Design cannot eliminate poverty. But it can change the way we interact with one another. <\/p>\n
Of course, a deposit system doesn’t solve social problems. It doesn’t change income levels or the reasons why people have to rely on collecting deposits. <\/p>\n
But it can improve a specific everyday situation.<\/p>\n
And he brings to light something that is important to us as designers: Products don’t just influence how we use things; they also influence how we interact with one another. <\/p>\n
Nearly ten years later, the question remains just as relevant: How can we design public spaces to meet a variety of needs?<\/p>\n
To us, the Pfandstifter is an example of how innovation does not necessarily have to stem from complex technology.<\/p>\n
Sometimes all it takes is to look at a familiar situation from a different perspective and come up with a simple, practical solution.<\/p>\n
Design Study | pr-ide | 2017 Sometimes it’s the little things that really bring a social issue into sharp focus. When someone discards returnable bottles in public spaces, they aren’t just throwing away an empty bottle. They are also throwing […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":47575,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[1151,1146,1395,1607,1255],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-47579","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-allgemein-en","category-angelesen-en","category-it-could-be","category-product-design","category-sustainable-design-en"],"yoast_head":"\n