The Wiki-Waste-Workshop: Co-designing ‘spin-out’ opportunities for more virtuous-circular-economies.

Waste[d] opportunities - Globally some 2 billion people do not have access to waste collection and 3 billion do not have access to controlled waste disposal where systems are in place to mitigate the impact of waste on the environment and public health . It is estimated only 19% of waste is recycled and composted globally and in the European Union alone 60% of the total waste generated is not reused, composted or recycled . The linear system dominates – there are many waste(d) opportunities. In many countries waste is disposed of in poorer neighbourhoods manifesting as a form of social repression. Waste is a therefore a development issue as well as an environmental problem. In this chapter we explore how working with waste can empower communities and offer practical solutions to local environmental issues whilst providing new social and cultural opportunities – these ‘spin-out’ from circular design methods when thinking in the round. Our case study project aimed to develop a local, off-grid making resource (workshop) that uses low cost, accessible technology and processes to manufacture products utilising local resources as feedstock. Products are co-designed in collaboration between the community and designers and makers in the UK taking into account the needs and values of the community. Blue prints and material recipes are shared, adapted and ‘re-used’ to benefit other communities (wiki). The Wiki-Waste-Workshop seeks to engage with many of the Sustainable Development Goals including addressing poverty, empowering women, promoting economic development and responsible production and consumption.