From the animal traction to the electrical-assistance bicycle social and inclusive design to improve the conditions of recycling collectors

• Grant number: 18/24078-2
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Scientific Initiation
• Start date: April 01, 2019
• End date: August 07, 2020
• Field of knowledge: Applied Social Sciences - Industrial Design - Product Design
• Principal Investigator: Fernanda Henriques
• Grantee: Lucas Gabriel Vieira Soares
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Arquitetura, Artes e Comunicação (FAAC). Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP). Campus de Bauru. Bauru , SP, Brazil
• Associated scholarship(s): 19/21498-3 - The usage of electro-assistive transportation technologies: user and product relationship, BE.EP.IC

Abstract

A large amount of waste is produced daily in urban centers and most of the discarded waste materials are recyclable. In Brazilian cities, incentives for recycling are short as are the inspections and punishment for undue disposal. In this scenario we find a frequently marginalized urban worker who works in the collection, separation and commercialization of waste: the recyclable waste collector. However, their working conditions are often precarious; to carry the collected material to the proper place, use their own forces or rely on animal traction to assist them. Thus, this study aims to formulate guidelines for inclusive and social design with the intention of developing a project of an electric assisted bicycle capable of promoting a better working condition for urban recycling agents. The methodology of the study will be structured in 4 stages, described below: 1) Theoretical research including bibliographic review of the problem of urban garbage, locomotion in cities and survey and analysis of technologies involving electric bicycles assisted; 2) Data collection through interviews and semi-structured questionnaire with recycling agents; 3) Establishment of guidelines and technical project development; 4) Analysis and organization of data collected. With the expected results, it is desired to provide theoretical and technical knowledge for the development of an instrument of locomotion to the recycling agents without the use of animal traction.