Design for waste separation and reduction during big events

Abstract

Tons of residual waste is being produced during big events nowadays, which can be expensive to manage and negatively influence the environment. Insufficient waste separation is identified as the leading cause, which is feasible to tackle in the near future. To reduce the negative environmental and financial impact of the event's waste, this thesis mainly investigates the waste management process of events held by the Dutch convention center Rai Amsterdam. Through the qualitative research conducted with exhibitors and visitors, pain points that result in a lack of ability in waste separation were identified in three aspects, lacking the support on the waste sorting facilities, difficulties in managing time during busy hours, and knowledge gaps on waste sorting. Meanwhile, exhibitors expressed their wishes to reduce the high waste management cost. Based on the problems, the thesis proposes a product-service system that focuses on stimulating the event participants' waste separation behaviors. Seizing the "predictable" feature of the event waste, the design collects data of waste streams before the event for further enabling targeted recycling activity. Meanwhile, the data of visitor flow will be shared with exhibitors to help them on time-management. Additionally, cost reduction from waste sorting activity is used as an incentive to enhance exhibitors' participation. In the long term, the design will gradually increase the awareness of waste sorting and form the habit among the event participants, which eventually contribute to a more sustainable event.