의자 형태의 플라스틱 병 압축 구조 장치 디자인 및 구현

Abstract

This study designs and implements PETurn (PET+Turn), a stool-type plastic bottle compressor, to address the plastic recycling process. The increasing volume of plastic waste and inefficiencies in recycling have become significant environmental problems, with the inconvenience of separating and compacting plastic bottles being a major factor in low recycling rates. This research analyzed the type of plastic bottle, domestic recycling process, and existing compressor design. Through the semi-structured user interview method, we identified the problems of actual consumers in the recycling process. Based on this, we conceptualized a user- friendly compressor concept and user scenario implementing the compression function. The design features an adjustable gear mechanism that allows intuitive and effective compaction of various sizes of plastic bottles. As a result, prototype development and usability testing showed that PETurn enhances user convenience and effectively reduces the volume of plastic bottles. This design process promotes recycling habits and facilitates efficient transportation and recycling of plastic bottles. It was confirmed that the user experience acted as a central factor in the design process, and PETurn shows the possibility of a sustainable lifestyle and design for solving the recycling problem that induces changes in user behavior. Only certain sizes of plastic bottles are subject to the current PETurn, but extended functions and designs could be applied for recycling plastic bottles of various sizes and materials.