Design students from L'École de design Nantes Atlantique, Hugo Montpetit and Vivian Fischer in Nantes, France have developed a chewing gum recycling system in the city to make recycled skateboard wheels. Only an estimated 10% of chewing gum is properly discarded. Montpetit and Fischer's project is in direct reaction to this issue.
Special chewing gum collection boards have been installed around the urban areas of Nantes. The students on the project then turn the discarded gum into colorful skateboard wheels. This initiative is to encourage pedestrians to be eco-conscious when discarded their chewing gum.
The collection board, which is made from polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) plastic is used alongside the gum to make the recycled skateboard wheels. Polymethyl methacrylate is a crucial component of skateboard wheel production, as it stabilizes the melting gum while the two materials are fashioned into wheels.
Recycled Skateboard Wheels
Students Made a Chewing Gum Recycling System for Skateboard Wheels
Trend Themes
1. Chewing Gum Recycling - Developing an efficient system to recycle and reuse chewing gum can significantly reduce waste and promote sustainability.
2. Eco-conscious Products - Creating products that promote sustainability, such as these recycled skateboard wheels made from discarded chewing gum, can appeal to environmentally conscious customers.
3. Direct Reaction Initiatives - Developing initiatives that directly address the issues caused by waste, such as the chewing gum collection and recycling project by design students, can spark awareness and inspire others to take action.
Industry Implications
1. Skateboarding Industry - The skateboarding industry can benefit from using recycled materials to create sustainable and unique products like the recycled skateboard wheels made from discarded chewing gum.
2. Waste Management Industry - The waste management industry can explore new ways to effectively collect and recycle materials like chewing gum to reduce waste and promote sustainability.
3. Environmental Education Industry - The environmental education industry can use initiatives like the chewing gum collection and recycling project to promote the importance of waste reduction and inspire action towards a more sustainable future.