Cigarette Litter Reduction Project Rebecca Cormier, Ravin Perera, Jared McKay / Des 502 / November 25th 2016 Table of Contents Project Brief Why is Litter a Problem? 4-5 - Design solution in depth anti theft and locking system 18-19 Capital City Clean Up and the City of Edmonton are in need Limitations facing Current Receptacle 6-7 - In depth Bracketing system and weatherproofing 20-21 of a new design solution to replace the current cigarette re- ceptacles. Our task was to produce a new design that would mitigate the design flaws present in the existing recepta- Examining current Cleaning System 8-9 - Design Solution- Receptacle opening 22- 23 cle. The current receptacles are difficult to service and are susceptible at vandalism and theft. In order to design a solu- tion that addressed all the current problems, we conduct- Examining theft and damage occurrences 10-11 - Conclusion of final design 24-25 ed user research, examined all stakeholders, and analyzed each existing flaw. Our research outlined how we might im- prove all aspects of a cigarette receptacle for Edmonton. Examining usability and visibility 12-13 - Appendix and Technical Drawings 26- 31 Design solutions overview 14-15 - White Model and Poster 32- 33 Design solution in depth cleaning system 16-17 2 3 Litter Research Cigarette butt litter is both a physical Although the current receptacle installations and social problem. After conducting have decreased overall cigarette butt litter interviews with users of the current cigarette by 25%, according to capital city cleanup, It receptacles we found that often they are is still a prominent issue in Edmonton. Last overflowing, and those who use them are year peace officers issued 112 warnings and less inclined to use the receptacles because 75 tickets concerning cigarette butt littering. along with being overfilled, they are often Two problems unfold from this, one being smoldering and are dirty from the ash. that the cigarette receptacles being overfilled Overall, there is strong motivation to reduce result in people littering, and secondly, as cigarette butt litter. Since the receptacles one user said, she felt stigmatization for being have been installed, as mentioned earlier, a smoker because those who do not smoke litter has been reduced by 25%. Design are bothered by the smoldering receptacles. thinking applied to the receptacle design Two problems unfold from this, one being could reduce cigarette litter exponentially. that the cigarette receptacles being overfilled Cigarette butts account for around 50% result in people littering, and secondly, as of items of litter in the Western World, one user said, she felt stigmatization for being and it is a major source of social and a smoker because those who do not smoke “Last year peace officers issued 112 warnings and 75 tickets concerning cigarette butt littering.” Capital City Cleanup 4 5 Analysis of Current Receptacle Lack of Snuff Plate No Weatherproofing • The current receptacles are difficult to service, • When rain or snow falls into the opening, the the current maintenance system requires the cigarettes freeze into a large clump, and they cleaner to insert a wet/dry vac into the recep- become increasingly difficult to empty. There tacle opening. is nowhere to extinguish your cigarette on the current receptacle and there is enough ox- Receptacle Opening too Wide. ygen intake from the widened top for ciga- rettes to smolder or even catch fire. Easily Vandalized Mounting System • Through research we determined that ciga- • Vandalization is an issue, The current locking rette receptacles are often smoldering, this system on the original receptacle was being increases stigmatization for the user because broken into, so the bottom of the receptacle the presence of the receptacle is unpleasant needed to be welded on. This is term forced for both the user and the general public.. the top to be widened and created the need for the cleaning system to be vacuumed out. Welded Bottom Modification The current receptacles were not designed for rain or snow. 6 7 Maintenance and Serviceability Stakeholder: Bee Clean Capital City Cleanup has expressed that the current ECOLAD Model They modified the receptacles by welding a stronger material onto the 1601 receptacles experienced regular break ins. As a result, the bottom and widening the top so they could be emptied by vacuuming receptacles were modified by the city of Edmonton to be more the cigarettes out with a wet/dry shop vacuum. This had a number of secure. The bottom of the receptacles were the most vulnerable repercussions on the speed and efficiency to which the receptacles spot of the receptacle and the bottom lock could easily be pried off could be serviced. We had the opportunity of shadowing an employee and broken into; this is also how they emptied the receptacle. from Bee Clean, the company in charge of cleaning the receptacles. Key Observations • The employee has to carry a garbage bag, • The Bee Cleaner would use a crowbar to • Bee Clean employee is responsible for re- a metal crowbar, rags, and a vacuum clean- loosen the hardened cigarettes and remove moving any stickers or graffiti on the recep- er that weighs over 20lbs, in order to empty the residue that is stuck inside. tacles. • • Emptying all the receptacles on Whyte Ave • Due to the widened diameter and position • A bee clean employee would spend rough- required the bee clean employee to empty of the opening, it was common that liq- ly 8-10 minutes on an individual receptacle, the wet/dry shop vac before continuing to uid would be poured into the receptacle, as and that does not guarantee that they get another area. well as other litter such as cigarette packs, completely emptied. and garbage. Rain and snow would also fall • into the receptacle. This would harden and solidify the cigarettes, making the cleaning • Since the nozzle of the vacuum does not process more difficult with the vacuum. fit into the opening of the receptacle, it is • not a very powerful suction. The Bee Clean employee would hold attempt to use their hand in the space between the vacuum and the receptacle to create a better seal. • 8 9 Theft and Vandalism Stakeholder: Business Revitalization Zone The original W model 1601 was designed to be emptied from the bottom, as this is “People always bust them open to try and get a half where the locking system was located. Due to a large amount of vandalism breaking the smoked cigarette, which is why they are always vandalized, locking system, and opening bottom door the system it was then welded shut to pre- they will always find a way to pop it open, so you vent this from happening. The welding shut and prevention of the emptying/cleaning should design it to just allow them to get in there.” capability created the main issue as earlier covered. Due to the space to the exteri- or of the receptacle between the unit and Interviewed user the pole, there is a great leverage point for vandals to grip and pull the unit in different directions to break the supporting braces that hold the receptacle to its mounting pole. Since the welding of the bottoms of the re- ceptacle the amount of thefts have risen as people are now ripping the unit right from the pole instead of breaking into the unit. 10 11 User Interviews: Questions User Interviews: Answers In our research it was important we understood our user group and were able to User 1: User 3 and 4 Answers from User 6 (paraphrased) emphasize the needs and wants of the those interacting with our design. As part of 1: Yes i use them. I have small grand children and kids like to pick 1: “Yes, we both use them. They are always full, and i don’t wanna From Vancouver: our research we conducted personal interviews and spoke to users on the street. them up, so i will never litter. be touching the ash, if there was more room to actually just drop it In summary, there were some commonalities among the people we interviewed. instead of trying to touch the dirt, that would be good.” They are Says there are cigarette ashtrays,but lots of people still 2: I always put it out before I use those receptacles. They are full always full, so u just will put it on the ground, which i hate doing. litter. Not much access to cigarette receptacles. of burning cigarettes, even as a smoker i don’t want to use them when they are smoldering. I think it’s extremely offensive to non 2: “I don’t think about putting it out, (user 3) I do! They are always We asked the following questions: smoking.” smokers. Always puts cigarette butt out. Said they would use a • Do you use the cigarette receptacles, if not why? 3: if they were more visible i think people would use them more. 3: “There is no accessibility, it’s hard, you need to cross a crowd cigarette extinguisher if it was included in a receptacle to put your cigarette out. There are not enough receptacles, and because of social responsibility. • Do you always put out your cigarette? 4: (see notes) they should be more visible, they blend into the pole, the color. Felt huge stigmatization as a smoker. • Do you find they are accessible? (we meant by this, are they easy to see/ find?)] Additional Notes: There are a lot of people that are super sen- They should be different colors.” sitive to smoke, I don’t want to use them when they are full or 4: “There should be a spot to put out your cigarette, i don’t want Felt cigarette receptacles should be aesthetically • Would you like it if the receptacle had a designated place to put the cigarette out? smoking, when its smoldering it gets all over your clothes, I don’t it to be rubbing against the metal thing.” pleasing, still wanted to feel like it was okay to smoke, wanna go back to my office when i smell like smoke.