ReFilter: Remediate and Recycle. Reimagining what waste can be.
ReFilter envisions a world where cigarette waste is repurposed through mycelium—the planet’s natural recycler. Inspired by initiatives like Fungi Solutions in Melbourne and PuriFungal in Belgium, ReFilter bridges the gap between smokers and sustainable “Myco products.” The system, including a Pocket Ashtray, Public Ashtray, and Myco Terrarium, aids mycelium's natural breakdown cycle and engages the public with it. This product-service system hopes to not only facilitate the bypass of cigarettes from landfills, but also educate and inspire smokers and the general public about the potential of their waste.
ReFilter
Over 8.9 billion cigarette butts are littered per year in Australia alone, accounting for 16% of all littered products (CleanUpAustralia2020). Even when disposed of correctly cigarette waste is highly toxic taking years to break down in landfills.
Mycelium Remediation
Mycelium eats the cellulose acetate filter and detoxifies the toxic chemicals within. The composite material created has the potential to replace the often extremely harmful and unsustainable compounds used in construction and packaging, with mycelium’s vast natural material properties.
Pocket Ashtray
Made in a variety of colours and finishes the ReFilter Pocket Ashtray is designed to appeal to all stylistic preferences in the hopes of reaching the broadest market and changing behaviours on the largest scale. The ashtray features a mycelium ash plate utilising the materials natural heat retardant properties and a rubber seal to ensure it is entirely airtight. Not just a pocket ashtray, the piece acts as a gateway to the other ReFilter products, featuring a QR code underneath that guides smokers to their nearest Public Ashtrays or Myco Terarrium.
Public Ashtray
The Public Ashtray makes visible the inoculation and breakdown process of cigarette waste, showing the public firsthand the natural power of mycelium, before being taken away to be repurposed. The transparent nature of the ashtrays walls also hopes to subvert the out of sight, out of mind psychology that follows with waste items. Making visible not only the mycelium’s prowess, but also the scale and reality of cigarette waste.
Storyboard
Charlotte tosses her last cigarette. Upon entering the tobacconist she spies an interesting new pocket ashtray. ReFILTER: Remediate and Recycle... Maybe she shouldn’t keep tossing her butts, she thinks to herself, maybe there is good reason to dispose of them in this new way...
Myco Terrarium
This installation combines functionality with grandeur, designed to break down large volumes of cigarette waste. The terrarium invites the public and local businesses to deposit their cigarette waste, allowing them to witness mycelium's growth as it transforms waste into a natural wonder. An AI-powered interface at the input point creates a dialogue between donors and the mycelium, deepening engagement and educating on mycelium's properties and the next stage of life for what would otherwise be toxic waste.
In the spirit of reconciliation Monash University acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
