Doggie is a system of utilization dog waste special created for Polish cities. The project is based on involvement of the local community to work for the common social benefits. In other words - collecting dog poo will be rewarded with free natural energy for our city. Isn’t it sounds fantastic?
This is a big move that much needed for a massive change for Polish cities, citizens, environment and the green source of energy.
National
Poland
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Mainly urban
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Everyday we can notice more and more dogs with their owners walking on our streets. Walking the dog is an integral part of dog person’s life.
In many countries various regulations regarding dog wastes have been introduced. This is great move for the environment and people. There is, however, another point of view on the unwise waste management. Currently dog’s poo is treated as mixed waste affecting the utilization of it - everything end’s up in the city landfill. What is worse mostly dog waste is close in plastic bag. This is so dangerous not only because of long decay of material or pollution of micro plastic but also because of methane formed in the bag. How we can talk about change for better if we skip such an important aspect?
The system of utilization dog’s waste DOGGIE is a massive social change in approach to collecting poo from the lawn. Instead of fine for not cleaning up, we can receive free energy for our estate. DOGGIE is connection of service and product which in easy way of getting organic material for processing in a biogas plant. Dog’s waste bins are part of ecological education for users which actions are given net profit as electricity produced from dog poo. Everything works in only 4 steps: Collecting, putting in the indicated hole, dragging along the line and throwing it away. Bins have built - in mechanism which cuts bag and separates dog waste and plastic bag. The rest of the action belongs to relevant institutions - biogas plant and recycling points. Dog poo from useless waste overdue in landfills becomes a cheap source of energy - a solution for the energy crisis!
DOGGIE is more than just a dog’s waste bin. It is ecological education for residents in the subject of waste management. Not only by the assigned function - waste separation, but also with the materials used. The housing of the bins is made of used plastic packaging collected from residents, thanks to which each bin is unique and the colors is subject to personalization.
recipe for the energy crisis
ecological education
green energy
social change
waste management
The main goal of the concept is to change Polish habits in the approach to waste management. An important aspect is to draw users' attention to the problem and show them a special solution adapted to their needs.
DOGGIE is a project that gives residents an opportunity to make some benefits for the city and the local community. Making users aware through environmental education increases their involvement, and this gives a visible profit. This is a huge step for Poland in terms of sustainable development. A small action carried out on a large, nationwide scale can be a solution for the energy crisis.
The project aims to involve the local community for the common good. Residents are involved in creating the bin by collecting and donating plastic for housing and choosing bin colors dedicated for estate. The obligation of collecting and disposing of dog waste is transformed into something that evokes more pleasant emotions - free energy, which is of great value these days. The concept builds a sense of local community and action for higher local goals. Users finally get a reason to pick up dog poop.
DOGGIE is a product designed for everyone who wants to get involved for the common good. Everyone, even these people whose don’t have a dog, can be a good neighbor who cleans the lawn.
It has been adapted for users of different heights. The appropriate height makes it accessible to wheelchair users. The elements of the mechanism have been secured and are inaccessible to the direct user. It is easy to use and has clear and visible descriptions of operation, thanks to which everyone is able to use it. The introduced color elements make it visible from long distances. The materials used are durable and adapted to various weather conditions.
DOGGIE is a project which is gift from a dog owner for other dogs owners - residents of cities, housing estates, people attending parks. The user is the most important element of the project. Therefore, users participated in the entire design process. Research, in-depth interviews and tests were carried out - countless hours of conversations with dog owners.
The whole concept was created based on analysis of their behavior.
The product is a response to their needs, takes into account their habits.
It is a ready-to-use project, focused on everyday contact with the user. The aesthetics are matched to the vision of Polish housing estates - both modern and well-known typical blocks of flats. It is not intrusive, but it stands out from other dog waste bins. This is a project that affects all citizens - even if they don't own a dog. It is a project that connects people - common energy connects people.
The whole process took a place at the local and regional level. Model centers (indicators of the needs of various users) were selected, to conduct research on adapting the project to national needs.
The cooperation took place with three types of users - the direct user - dog owners, the supplying user - a waste management company or a biogas plant, and the coordinating user - the City Hall. The appointed representatives cooperated with me at all stages of work on the project. Both during talks and testing prototypes at various stages.
Except for the qualitative methods such as the desk research and in-depth interview with users and companies a very important aspect of the project was getting to know the operation of the biogas plant from the inside. I conduct process analysis and observing the work of employees dealing with waste management.
In the design process I used knowledge from technologist, material scientist and engineer. On the basis of tests, a mechanism and a working prototype were developed. Also I carried out tests on users in urban space.
The most important aspect of the project is the development of a solution compatible with the functioning of Polish cities and users.
DOGGIE has specially designed, three-stage mechanism which separates dog’s waste from plastic bags, preparing materials for utilization and biogasification. It is really simple in action for user. The only thing to do is dragging the pouch bag along the line and that’s all. Mechanism is consists of the interchangeable, easily accessible components.
Well known in Poland dog’s waste bins are the same in the shapes and colors like normal mixed bins. The only thing that distinguish these two is logotype of the dog in the middle of the bin. That’s why people don’t care to use it in different way.
The project gives an opportunity to increase the use of green energy sources and the development of biogas plants in Poland. It indicates alternative ways to obtain material for processing in a power plant.
DOGGIE assumes the acquisition of dog poo, but it has the potential to obtain biological material from other home animals - e.g. cats. This is also a large group of recipients affected by the problem of throwing poo away for mixed waste.
With the right product and service customization, DOGGIE has a chance to enter markets in other countries around the world that are also struggling with the problem of dog waste management.
The main challenge of my concept is the issue of waste management and its impact on the climate crisis. The solution gives the opportunity to recover materials that are ready for processing and have the potential to obtain electricity for the local community. Such small actions have a huge impact on our planet.
