Zero Waste Cart

Design solutions for improving waste collection


Spring 2023
Harvard GSD
Harvard Office for Sustainability
GSD Zero Waste Project

Collaboration with Cory Page, GSD Fab Lab, GSD Buildings Services

I was invited to collaborate with the GSD Zero Waste Project led by Cory Page to design and fabricate mobile waste carts that incorporate compartments for different waste streams and a sanitation station. The project aims to reduce waste contamination and mindless behavior through clear signage and consolidated waste zones. The waste carts in particular are meant to aid the waste collection and sorting at GSD events, where collecting uncontaminated waste was a challenge. To encourage behavior change, I designed tilt angles that differentiate the waste type to intuitively signal the user to sort their trash. Integrated handles help with maneuvering the cart, and bins can be slid out from the backside with ease. Thanks to these carts, recycling contamination was eliminated at GSD’s Beer & Dogs (weekly event with 400+ students).

Photo by Cory Page
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