This project was my Final year (B-tech Industrial design - 2010) mini dissertation. I entered it into India - Future of Change design competition in which I won in my category. Through this competition I spoke about the project at the University of Nairobi. I also flew to India to present to an international panel for the grand prize.
In many developingcountries, children are brought up in these environments, andtheir families do everything they can to support them. Here it is seen how bread winners have seen a problem in the First world which becomes a solution in the ThirdWorld. EverydayEvery day, across the world, makeshiftvehicles are packed with recyclable material, and carted many miles. Dumps alsoserve as a collection sites and from this wastewehave a new informal jobs areemerging. These waste collectors have become the accidental heroes of recycling. I have began to refer to these recyclers as “reclaimers”. Reclaimers canbe seen every day, throughout the world, carting large loads. These ‘reclaimers’peopleneed and deserve a new material handling solution to enhance their lives.
The design needed to be a compromise of the stakeholders. To achieve this, I examined my research and set out the Criteria, which I aimed to meet. In order to navigate the rough terrain used by the handlers, the trolley needed to be stable. This stability will allow the trolleys to be operated on sidewalks and away from the danger of motor vehicles. This width will also allow users to operate the trolleys within informal settlements where the pathways are either too narrow or non-existent. For the trolley to remain viable for reclaimers, it will need to hold the same amount of material. Visibility is also an issue for trolleys and motorists have been caught unawares many a time. The trolley needs to be ergonomic. This is extremely important as it will reduce bodily stress and/or injury to the users. The ergonomics will ensure that the trolley becomes more maneuverable than current designs. Ease of manufacture will keep costs down, and standard sizes and machinery will be used. This standardization will also allow the trolley to be reproduced in other markets.
From theinitial research, concepts were generated that met the requirements which wereset out. The concepts looked at trolleys with feasible loading areas and largewheels to mount kerbs and obstacles with ease. The objective was to find thecorrect combination of wheels to suit the task at hand. The wheels are themost important part of this design. They are what determine the price,manoeuvrability and durability of the product. In the beginning the large wheelswere favoured in concept for their obvious advantages in mounting sidewalks. As is demonstrated, I it wasapparent that saw the rickshaw design as the mostfeasible as it only makes use of two wheels, greatly reducing the cost. Allaspects of the trolley were consideredand divergent thinking was used to produce a wide variety of concepts. Here we can see ideas for housing as a double use of the trolley. Here isa focus on how the actual material would be carried. From concepts such asthese ideas were focused refinement of a solution began.
A rickshaw type configuration was selectedwith a third wheel introduced in the front so that it is primarily a pulledtrolley and secondarily a rickshaw. This also helps when mounting pavements asit acts as a leverage point. The issue of the material being able to fit in thesame volume is solved by the introduction of a crusher. This will requiremore labour but the advantages from this will make it worthwhile. Advertisingspace is to be considered as this will create income through the trolley andperhaps a kickback for the reclaimer.
A mock-up prototype was fabricated for usertesting in the reclaimers’ environment. When presented to the reclaimers theirexcitement said it all. The reclaimers were extremely impressed with thecapabilities the trolley had when manoeuvring around and over obstacles. Afterdemonstrating the crusher for plastic and cans the reclaimers were convincedabout the smaller volume supplied and tested it by compacting a large bag ofplastic bottles. The compactor test was very successful and proved that thevolume could be reduced by two thirds of the original size. The trolley had anunexpected added advantage of being able to tip completely to offload materialquickly at a buy-back centre as shown here. The theory of making redundancyredundant came through when a user stated that if he saw a part that wasn’tneeded, he would cut it off and sell it for scrap.
The tubing used is standard one inch tubingand is very cost effective. All the curves have a standard radius so that onemandrel can be used in the bending process. The frame is makes use of onelength of 6m tubing and a half a length for the fabricated needs. Sheet steelis used for the compactor as well as the trolley base. Cotter pins coupled withwashers on either side of the rear wheels will allow for durability and repairof the wheels. An adhesive for nuts such as Loctite will be applied to the nutsas reclaimers do not generally have access to tools to tighten them on aregular basis.
As you can see the design is far morepersonal than current designs, making it extremely maneuverablewith less strain on the body. Ergonomically the trolley ticks all the boxes.The handles are 35 degrees off 90 and are optimal for both pulling and pushing.The handles are also used to pull the front end up when mounting sidewalks andsubsequently pushing it down again to get the rear wheels on. The bends by thefront castor prevent the trolley from ever tipping. The crusher is mounted tothe front of the trolley and held up by a cross beam that also serves to limitoverloading. This is the bag that the trolley will come with and is made frombillboards that are thrown away after the campaign runs its course. It will besewn with the graphics facing inwards to prevent brand misrepresentation. Theback panel is printed with the sponsor’s graphic; this will also make thetrolley more visible. Other extensions can be made to the trolley to specializeit. This extra piece can just slot on and transform it into a cardboardvariation.
Here is close up of the crusher, anintegral part of this design. It is slipped over solid bar which the weldedwithin the frame making for a durable hinge. As well as compacting material, itwill also be used as a foot brake by lifting the front wheel off the ground.When the trolley is descending down inclines, the user will have the trolley infront for safety. This slot is made for the wheel so that it can be pressed asnecessary to control the descent. The other slot is to stop cans or bottlesrolling away when being compacted and the final slot is for the user to lift itback up. During transit, the crusher is held up by a simple chain and pin thatcan be replaced by virtually anything in case of failure.
This is an example of the layout proposed,achieved by using local materials and labour. It is crafted from bamboo andlashed together. The handles are made from old bicycle parts. This specifictrolley is aimed at informal traders and the carrying of stock to their placeof business. The trolley can be used for all aspects of the informalenvironment and is truly a global product.
