Flood prevention through trash
Royal College of Art - 2022
In response to the common problem of littering and environmental pollution, I embarked on a Regenerative Design project aimed at cleaning up affected areas. I was inspired to take action after witnessing the issue firsthand while growing up in Ghana, where open gutters along the roadside are constantly filled with trash. This leads to water flow blockages and severe flooding during the rainy season.
To tackle this problem, I came up with a modular design that can be placed over the open gutter to trap the trash while still allowing for water flow. These modular pieces are made by a waste recycling company in Lebanon called Cedar Environmental L.L.C. The trapped trash is then used to create more modular gutter covers, creating a self-sustaining cycle. The modular pieces can be easily joined together using only heat. Overall, this innovative solution aims to address littering and environmental pollution in a sustainable and regenerative manner.
Process
• My definition of regenerative design
• Trash situation in Ghana
• Systems and infrastructures in place
• Where does the trash go?
• Trash situation
• Material Exploration - Profiles from Ziad Abi Chaker
• Gutter Collection Mock-Up
• Prototypes
• Community System
• Possible Trash Trapper Products
