On 27 May, we announced the 85 nominees of the What Design Can Do No Waste Challenge. During the open call, creatives submitted ideas responding to at least one of three design briefs, each one tackling a different aspect of our take-make-waste economy. Participants applied to either the Global track or to specific city tracks aimed at finding solutions in Amsterdam, Delhi, México City, Nairobi, São Paulo & Rio and Tokyo.
Today, we take a closer look at the 10 outstanding projects nominated for the Nairobi track. Developed in collaboration with our partners in Kenya, this track emphasized local perspectives on waste and was open to all participants designing from or for the region.
TAKE LESS
The following nominees responded to the first design brief, which focuses on the root causes that are fueling our waste problem. It suggests questions like: How can we consume more mindfully and inspire a shift in societal habits and values? Could design help us envision alternatives to buying and owning products?
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Refill to Reduce Plastic WasteSUBMITTED BY: Ian Ruthi (Kenya) | STRATEGY: Services or systemsThis project seeks to pioneer fully automatic, self-service water refill stations in Nairobi’s residential apartments in a bid to reduce single-use plastic bottles. |
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Nairobi City WaterSUBMITTED BY: Venuste Kubwimana (Kenya) | STRATEGY: PRODUCTSThe Nairobi City Water project encourages individuals to drink tap water by installing easy-to-access refill stations and selling reusable bottles, whose profits help finance clean-up projects across Kenya. This project is also tagged as Brief 3: Handle Smarter. |
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Nyungu AfrikaSUBMITTED BY: Mary Mureithi (Kenya) | STRATEGY: PRODUCTSNyungu Afrika has set out to reduce period poverty with their biodegradable, low-cost period products made from pineapple and corn husk waste. |
MAKE BETTER
The following nominees responded to the second design brief, which focuses on reducing waste through rethinking how things are made and what they are made of. It suggests questions like: How can we encourage the use of more innovative and sustainable materials? Could we redesign the life cycles of products, so that they are more restorative and/or regenerative?
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Vision 4 WasteSUBMITTED BY: Nairobi Design Week (Kenya) | STRATEGY: Products, SERVICES OR SYSTEMSVision 4 Waste is addressing a lack of accessible eyewear in Kenya by recycling plastic waste into stylish glasses for Kenya’s young and old. |
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No Waste Macadamia Food DesignSUBMITTED BY: Peter Mwathi (Kenya) | STRATEGY: ProductSA nutrient-rich beverage making good use of the macadamia nut by drying and grinding the entire nut – shell and all. This project is also tagged as Brief 3: Handle Smarter. |
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Project CirclegSUBMITTED BY: Fabian Engel (Switzerland) | STRATEGY: ProductsCircleg is a modular and affordable lower-limb prosthetic made from recycled plastics. The project also recycles prosthetic components, allowing them to re-enter the supply chain. This project is also tagged as Brief 3: Handle Smarter. |
HANDLE SMARTER
The following nominees responded to the third design brief, which focuses on the so-called ‘end of the line’, and asks for creative ways to redraw it so that all waste is disposed of in a way that’s safe and sustainable. It suggests questions like: How can we better track and manage the different forms of waste we produce? Could we empower people to view and use waste as a resource?
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LEAFY LIFESUBMITTED BY: Peter Gachanja (Kenya) | STRATEGY: PRODUCTS, SERVICES OR SYSTeMSA unique technology using benign organic chemicals to turn dirty diapers into fuel and construction materials. |
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Pfand PesaSUBMITTED BY: Cavin Mugarura (Uganda) | STRATEGY: Services or SystemsPfand Pesa is an ATM system for plastic waste that makes it easy and profitable to recycle plastic bottles. In exchange for each bottle, consumers receive discounts, internet data and other rewards via a mobile app. |
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DiscoverBrands 3D PrintingSUBMITTED BY: Dennis Munga (Kenya) | STRATEGY: PRODUCTS, SERVICES OR SYSTEMSThis project recycles PET plastic and electronic waste into 3D printing filament and affordable 3D printers. This project is also tagged as Brief 2: Make Better. |
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Wastewater to Green ParksSUBMITTED BY: Mshila Sio (Kenya) | STRATEGY: SPACES, Services or systemsThis project turns wastewater into lush greenery using an innovative hydroponic system to host macrophyte plants, which acts as a natural filter. This project is also tagged as Brief 1: Take Less, and Brief 2: Make Better. |
WHAT’S NEXT?
Nominated teams now have the time to improve their submissions before the final jury review in July. Visit our platform for more information about the competition, award package, and to view all the nominees in our project gallery.