A Design Thinking Approach to Limiting Plastics in the Ocean

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dc.contributor.advisorWylant, Barry
dc.contributor.authorCastillo, Juan
dc.contributor.committeememberGadbois, Denis
dc.contributor.committeememberGerlach, Craig
dc.date.accessioned2021-05-03T16:34:18Z
dc.date.available2021-05-03T16:34:18Z
dc.date.issued2021-04-26
dc.description.abstractThe ocean plays a vital role in maintaining life as we know it and in stimulating the Earth’s environmental balance. Unfortunately, due to increasing plastic litter in the ocean, humanity is currently facing devastating consequences ranging from climate change and the extinction of species, to the destruction of natural environments. As an Industrial Designer I felt the moral obligation to stimulate more sustainable ways to keep producing and innovating. Hence, the main objective of this thesis was to investigate whether a design thinking approach could lead to novel insights, methods, and practices that, if implemented in the design, fabrication, and use of goods, could significantly reduce plastic pollution of the oceans. To achieve this, I conducted an exhaustive literature review and obtained a general understanding of the subject. The review of the literature allowed me to develop a theoretical framework and identify key ideas required to support this research in addressing the problem. Additionally, I performed key informant interviews in order to collect perspectives and data from people who provided first-hand knowledge, experience, and insight into the nature of the problem and offer recommendations to potentially remediate the problem. The gathered information resulted in the development of a company that incentivizes proper waste disposal, collects organic waste, and turns it into biodegradable polymers, while supporting local vulnerable communities.en_US
dc.identifier.citationCastillo, J. (2021). A Design Thinking Approach to Limiting Plastics in the Ocean (Master's thesis, University of Calgary, Calgary, Canada). Retrieved from https://prism.ucalgary.ca.en_US
dc.identifier.doihttp://dx.doi.org/10.11575/PRISM/38802
dc.identifier.urihttp://hdl.handle.net/1880/113338
dc.language.isoengen_US
dc.publisher.facultyEnvironmental Designen_US
dc.publisher.institutionUniversity of Calgaryen
dc.rightsUniversity of Calgary graduate students retain copyright ownership and moral rights for their thesis. You may use this material in any way that is permitted by the Copyright Act or through licensing that has been assigned to the document. For uses that are not allowable under copyright legislation or licensing, you are required to seek permission.en_US
dc.subjectOcean conservationen_US
dc.subjectIndustrial Designen_US
dc.subjectCyclical economyen_US
dc.subjectPlastic Pollution in the Oceanen_US
dc.subjectPlastics in the Oceanen_US
dc.subjectBioplasticsen_US
dc.subjectSustainabilityen_US
dc.subjectColombiaen_US
dc.subjectOrganic Wasteen_US
dc.subjectBiopolymeren_US
dc.subjectWaste Managementen_US
dc.subjectCommunity worken_US
dc.subject.classificationDesign and Decorative Artsen_US
dc.subject.classificationEngineering--Environmentalen_US
dc.subject.classificationEngineering--Marine and Oceanen_US
dc.titleA Design Thinking Approach to Limiting Plastics in the Oceanen_US
dc.typemaster thesisen_US
thesis.degree.disciplineEnvironmental Designen_US
thesis.degree.grantorUniversity of Calgaryen_US
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Environmental Design (MEDes)en_US
ucalgary.item.requestcopytrueen_US
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