Products
Scoop it up
We talk to Campbell Boyer of Spore about the design process behind his sustainable pooper-scooper.
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Scoop it up
Appropriately stationed in Paris (dog-poo capital of the world), I find myself talking to Campbell Boyer of Spore, about the design process behind his sustainable pooper-scooper. And to the city of Paris we say – get on to lé Port-a poo s’il vous plait. You’re beautiful but you smell nasty.
Where did the idea come from?
A fella came to me with the idea for a product that would encourage people to stop using plastic bags to scoop up their dog poo on walks. His idea was for something re-usable and washable. But really, I didn’t think anyone would be bothered washing poo off anything… so I tried to convince him to head in a different direction – something disposable but with real sustainability credentials.
What inspired the form and materials used?
It’s a little embarrasing but the idea came from a McDonald’s Apple Pie box.
McDonals’ do package up a lot of crap…
Ha, spot on. Its a basic pillow box but modified with a tear-off tab (to shovel in sticky poo’s) and more thickness on the edges (this way it fits the taller proportion of some dog poo better). I wanted to avoid the owner having to feel the texture of warm poo like you do through a plastic bag. The box flat packs, its light and portable, but when you fold it up the edge is sharp and rigid becasue it’s curved – good for scooping. 100% post-consumer recycled card was the obvious material choice; its tough, thick and has low embodied energy. There are alot of other products made with bio-plastics boasting good sustainability credentials. That ‘bio’ label is a bit dubious because alot need very specific environmental condidtions to break down – like sunlight and air – which they may not get in landfill. Plus there’s a heap of energy involved in making bio-plastics.
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Images courtesy of Spore Furniture + Product Design
spore.com.au
Art&Culture
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Upload pictures of your dog working hard—or hardly working—to win an Old School Stripe Collar from Best in Park. To participate, Instagram using #fourandsonsTYDTWD. The lucky winner will be announced on Monday 24th June 2013.
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