Design 21: Social Design Network

1. The R-3 (by Eliseu Santos Co-authors: Diego Matheus and, Carlos Ribeiro) project is aimed at citizens who deal with selective collection of recycled materials, such as aluminum recipients, cardboard boxes, etc. The aforementioned collection concerns individuals who belong to an under privileged social class, either from organized cooperative groups or not (that is, autonomous), whose activity represents an important social role and, in some countries, a significant participation in economical indexes regarding such collecting, mostly in what aluminum and cardboard are concerned.
2. Main features of the vehicle: -Use of a 26” bicycle (rear wheel, frame and handle bar) joined to a collecting container (78,5 x 39,5 x 27,5 inches / L x W x H), presenting easiness to connect and reverse to bike mode; -Use of recycled and ecological materials in the container structure (cf. - fairing in polyurethane resin based plant, reinforced with natural fibers); -Loading capacity estimated in 237 gallons (900 liters). Container divided in chambers specified for storage of aluminum and cardboard, etc.; -Equipped with aluminum can crusher; -Other accessories: dynamo headlights; personal items storage compartment;
3. Project aims: -Improve the working conditions for the autonomous collectors; -Valorization of these professionals’ community services; -Aggregate new concepts for use and materials concerning the selective collection of recycled materials; -Make evident and promote recycling,...

“Social Character National Competition”

This contest was the result of an action promoted by the Brazilian Department of Development, Industry and Foreign Trade and Solidarity University (UNISOL) with the support, among others, of the UNESCO Monumenta Project. This contest was directed only to undergraduate students.

The main purpose of this initiative was to incentive the insertion of design in deprived segments of society and its popularization through the promotion of socio-environmental awareness and the inclusion of disadvantaged communities in the productive processes.

Sixty three projects, from undergraduate students of twelve states, were submitted to appreciation. For the category "Vehicle for Collection of Recyclable Material" only eight projects were chosen, including two from students of the FUMEC University .

Sivuca Project Team participants (Undergraduate students of Industrial Design Course): Bruno Godoy, Eduardo Barros, Felipe Freitas and Francisco Emmanuel; Professor Coordinator: Eliseu de Rezende Santos.

Note: The prototype was developed with the financial and technical support of the University FUMEC. It was donated to the community of scavengers of paper (Contagem/Minas Gerais, 2006).