Sustainable seedling pathway
Inspiration
Inspired by a shared concern for the environment and a desire to utilize engineering and programming skills, our team created a water bottle crusher to combat plastic pollution. With water bottles accounting for a significant portion of ocean plastic waste, our vision was clear: design an efficient, scalable solution that streamlines recycling, reduces waste, and promotes responsible disposal.
What it does
Our innovation employs a pulley system to drop weight on a water bottle, effectively compacting it to prevent it from taking up too much space in the recycling bin.
How we built it
Our project boasts a designed framework crafted from cardboard, engineered to provide sturdy support for a water bottle. Above the bottle's resting place, a pulley system constructed from yarn comes into play. Attached at one end of the yarn is a container filled with aquarium gravel, serving as the weight for bottle compression. The other end of the yarn is linked to a motor, controlled by a button. The motor spins in one direction to lower the weight onto the water bottle, then in the other direction to pull the weight back up.
Challenges we ran into
Throughout the design process, we encountered several pivotal challenges. We grappled with the worry of potential pulley axle or yarn failure under the substantial weight load. Initially, the motor's lack of response to the button posed a challenge. Furthermore, we were forced to critically brainstorm to identify a material sturdy enough to maintain our project's structure and be environmentally responsible.
Accomplishments that we're proud of
We're thrilled with how we managed to make Arduino work smoothly in our project. Getting the pulley system up and running was a big win for us since it was quite a challenge. The stability of the cardboard structure was also something we’re proud of, considering the entire project relied on the box staying upright. But what really makes us proud is that we're doing something positive for the environment. Sometimes, as individuals, it feels like we can't make much of a difference, but our project is helping to highlight the importance of being more environmentally conscious and showing that even small efforts can add up to make a big impact on our planet.
What we learned
Our journey has been an educational one, expanding our knowledge in Arduino and C++ programming. This project led us to understand the intricacies of utilizing a stepper motor and understanding how it works. Additionally, it honed our abilities in making sound structural decisions, enriching our collective skill set.
What's next for Bottle Crusher
Looking ahead, our project's next steps involve practical improvements. We've recognized that our materials need to be sturdier to make our crusher more robust. Our top priority is upgrading the motor to handle more weight effectively. While the rest of our project was stable and could withstand weight, the motor was the weakest and something we couldn’t really reinforce the strength of. This improvement will ensure the crusher's durability and allow it to crush larger loads. As we move forward, we're dedicated to enhancing the project's capabilities, all in pursuit of a cleaner, more sustainable world by tackling plastic waste in our oceans.
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