The Problem Space

How might we use retired beverage carts to help Delta connect communities and move people to build a more sustainable future?

Our Solutions

Our solutions came from a collaboration of Delta's values and our own. After thorough research of Delta's brands and values, we collected our own understanding of our individual wants and values and combining the two through heirarchy. Theses are the values we determined for our project:

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• Sustainability

• Education

• Community

• Environmental Value

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Using these design criteria we conducted material studies of retired beverage carts and researched current sustainability initiatives to find the solutions with the largest cost offset that are environmentally conscious and  cost effective. Here are our solutions.

Wind Turbine

Through the creation of clean energy, our wind turbine provides sustainable power and education in communities.

Using the sides and doors of the carts, we designed a double ringed wind turbine that is designed to teach students in underprivileged communities sustainable design and embrace both design and engineering. Addition, the turbines are intended to be placed with each house built in Delta's collaboration with Habitat for Humanity to help create clean and sustainability energy for living.

Defining Sustainability Installation

Through the creation of clean energy, our wind turbine provides sustainable power and education in communities.

Using the sides and doors of the carts, we designed a double ringed wind turbine that is designed to teach students in underprivileged communities sustainable design and embrace both design and engineering. Addition, the turbines are intended to be placed with each house built in Delta's collaboration with Habitat for Humanity to help create clean and sustainability energy for living.

Hydroponic Garden

Through the creation of clean energy, our wind turbine provides sustainable power and education in communities.

Using the sides and doors of the carts, we designed a double ringed wind turbine that is designed to teach students in underprivileged communities sustainable design and embrace both design and engineering. Addition, the turbines are intended to be placed with each house built in Delta's collaboration with Habitat for Humanity to help create clean and sustainability energy for living.

EcoFlight

Delta moves people from place to place and Delta moves people. Through EcoFlight, Delta can connect to their customers and continue to work with them to push sustainability forward with each mile. EcoFlight helps customers view the waste saved on their flights, read up on Delta's current and upcoming sustainability projects, learn how they can change their own life to become more sustainable, and play games based on the new cart second-life designs. Customers can use EcoFlight on the plane through onboard entertainment and through the companion app. Delta will continue to influence their customers and their sustainability throughout their entire journey. 

Process

Initial ideation

We began our research by studying sustainability and Delta's brand and community outreach. From there we pitched multiple design ideas that we as a team wanted to develop.

Development of designs

From our initial ideas, we researched various sustainable options for the cart material and current sustainable and community driven products and sciences that we could incorporate into our designs.

Midpoint Meeting

After thorough research and ideation we presented 5 major designs, each focused on different design criteria. We presented these designs to Delta and together discussed and devised which ideas to pursue.

Consumer understanding

With our new direction and chosen ideas to flush out, we researched further into our consumer groups and existing solutions. As a team we began planning the physical products and their functionality to ensure its sustainable and lasting affect.

Finalization of designs

In the end, we created four fully functioning products from the material given to us. We had designed each with benefit for society and environment as well as the estimated cost of build for Delta to ensure that the process remains sustainable and efficient.

What I Learned

Sustainability, while difficult to develop, is incredibly worthwhile and defines creativity. During this project we were given a material that many do not believe can be fully salvaged, only taking it for parts. However, by being limited in our material we developed fully functioning and beneficial products that would push Delta further in their sustainability initiative and become the sustainability leader that others can follow.