DWISS: Revolutionizing Waste Management with Sustainable Design

Jon Walker and Paul Timmer's Innovative Recycling Bin Wins Silver A' Design Award

Jon Walker and Paul Timmer developed DWISS in response to the growing need for efficient recycling solutions. The design was inspired by their personal experiences with recycling, where they found themselves dealing with piles of different waste types around the kitchen. The duo wanted a recycling bin that was not only functional but also aesthetically pleasing and sustainable. The result was DWISS, a symbol of the circular economy.

What sets DWISS apart from other recycling bins is its sustainable design and ease of use. It is made from plywood, a finite and carbon-neutral material. The innovative 'frame and compartment' design minimizes the quantity of plywood required. The bin has been constructed in a way that enables maintenance over the years, increasing its durability. DWISS features four compartments, including one for non-recyclables, making recycling quick and easy.

The design of DWISS was driven by resource optimization, aiming to get the most value from the least material. The parts that provide function also provide form, resulting in a single skin with an innovative 'frame and compartment' design. The designers avoided mechanical parts that might fail, leaving only a single hinge for the lid. The material of choice, Beech plywood, is a durable, infinite, carbon-neutral material that is easy to recycle.

Despite its modest size of 41 / 43 / 67cm w/h/d, DWISS provides industry-leading capacity at over 80 litres / 17 gallons, thanks to its innovative design. The two lower compartments simply slide out and can be carried in one hand, leaving the other free to open the door when emptying. This ease of use eliminates one of the main reasons why people do not recycle - because it is too difficult.

The project started in 2005 in Sheffield when Jon Walker needed a bin to help him recycle and produced the initial sketches of DWISS. It finished in 2016 in Amsterdam when Paul Timmer completed the design following multiple prototype trials. The design process involved extensive market research, desktop studies, and rapid prototyping, with the feedback collated, analysed, and used as an input into the final design brief.

In recognition of its innovative design and contribution to sustainable living, DWISS was awarded Silver in the A' Furniture Design Award in 2017. This prestigious award is given to top-of-the-line, creative, and professionally remarkable designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation. DWISS, with its strong technical characteristics and splendid artistic skill, truly embodies these qualities.