System for Urban Resource Recovery through Circular Economy and DFA methodologies

Redefining “Waste”

In a rapidly urbanizing world, the linear “take-make-waste” model is no longer sustainable. In cities like Mexico City or Vancouver, where thousands of tons of waste are produced daily, poor management leads to methane emissions and lost resources. My research focuses on a critical shift: transitioning urban domestic waste from a linear disposal problem into a Closed-Loop biological resource.

This system, developed as my undergraduate thesis, explores how Industrial Design acts as a catalyst for environmental change through the lenses of Circular Economy, LEED principles, and Design for Assembly (DFA).

The System: Turning Waste into Value

The core of this project is a Home-Based Pre-Composting Unit designed to process organic kitchen waste efficiently. Capable of storing up to 5 kg of organic matter per week, the unit facilitates early biodegradation in a controlled, low-oxygen environment. Its airtight seal minimizes aerobic activity, accelerating the formation of nutrient-rich pre-compost.

1. The Circular Strategy: Closing the Biological Loop

We transform “trash” into high-value compost, returning nutrients to the urban soil. By designing a localized recovery system, we prevent organic waste from reaching landfills, significantly reducing methane generation and municipal hauling fees.

2. Design for Assembly (DFA) & Manufacturing Efficiency

For sustainability to be scalable, it must be economically viable. Using DFA methodologies, I optimized the architecture to:

• Reduce Part Count: Streamlining manufacturing and reducing potential points of failure.
• Simplify Assembly: Lowering production costs and allowing for easy maintenance.
• End-of-Life Disassembly: Every component is designed to be separated in minutes for 100% recovery or recycling, ensuring the product itself never becomes waste.

3. Materials Selection & Life Cycle Assessment (LCA)

Rejecting the “planned obsolescence” of plastic bins, this system is engineered for a 20+ year lifecycle.

• Stainless Steel: Selected for its high corrosion resistance, hygiene, and infinite recyclability.
• Canadian FSC®-Certified Maple Wood: A renewable, locally sourced hardwood that brings tactile and visual balance to the industrial aesthetic.
• Bio-Polymer (TPE): A partially bio-based elastomer used for ergonomic seals, combining rubber performance with thermoplastic recyclability.
• Modular Fasteners: Using standard mechanical joins instead of adhesives to facilitate repairability.

Why it Matters: Urban Integration & Compliance

This is more than a household product; it is a compliant infrastructure and it serves as a scalable solution for:

• Multi-family residential developments in high-density areas.
• Smart City initiatives focused on resource tracking and data-driven waste management.
• UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): Specifically contributing to Goal #11 (Sustainable Cities) and Goal #12 (Responsible Consumption).

Combining design, education, and technology, this system empowers users to be active agents in the circular economy—starting right from their own kitchens.

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Design is not just how it looks; it’s how it works within a system. This project proves that with the right design process, we can design waste back to the loop, regenerating our systems.