Ripple - Vapor Trails

The project - Ripple, tackles the environmental hazard of vape waste. Crucially, our goal is not to promote usage, but to minimize damage where it occurs. We solve the "dead-end" disposal problem via a modular, recyclable Eco-Vape paired with a reward-based app. Users benefit from easy-to-locate bins and gamified incentives. Unlike standalone products, our unique system integrates hardware, storytelling, and digital tools to drive behavior change. It deserves recognition for pragmatically transforming a toxic waste stream into a closed-loop movement, making sustainability simple and rewarding.

Disposable vapes are designed for a dead end. There is no system for collection, no awareness among users, no guidance for disposal and the products themselves are not built for a circular loop.
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Redesigned for circularity: our eco vape uses recycled materials, is modular for easy disassembly, and built to be fully recyclable. A product that lives many lives, not just one. A redesigned vape shell that tells a story — linking its color and pattern to endangered species harmed by pollution.

Packaging isn’t just a cover — it’s a communication tool. Clear disposal instructions, QR codes linking to our app, and visual cues make awareness unavoidable right at the point of purchase
The project employs a multi-disciplinary framework that integrates strategic foresight with behavioral science to address the complexities of the waste crisis. The Three Horizons Model is utilized to map the transition from current waste-heavy practices toward a future-state circular economy, while the Okala Eco-Design Strategy informs the development of modular hardware and closed-loop material systems. To drive tangible user engagement, Fogg’s Behavior Model is applied to identify optimal triggers for sustainable action, complemented by the Octalysis Framework to design gamified incentives—such as badges and leaderboards—that transform responsible disposal into a habitual social norm.
The app connects awareness with action. It educates users about vape waste, locates the nearest collection points, and rewards responsible disposal with incentives. It also connects users to a social platform where they can share progress, earn collective rewards, and be part of a movement for change.

Behavior change begins where choices are made. Posters in vape stores bring the issue to the forefront, reminding users that proper disposal protects both people and planet. To reach beyond the store, we extend our campaign to social platforms. Bite-sized stories, bold visuals, and challenges engage the community and normalize sustainable disposal behavior.

These systemic interventions tackle careless vape disposal by creating awareness, offering clear guidance, fostering community, and introducing a modular eco-vape made from recycled, recyclable parts. With supportive packaging, app features, store posters, and social media, sustainable choices become simple, visible, and rewarding.