Grey group is the advertising agency behind this incredible project: making an ecological air conditioner with only plastic bottles, called the Eco-Cooler. An idea to definitely remember when this year, the Australian summer is announced as one of the hottest.
«Most Bangladeshi people live in tin cabins: in the summer, indoors, it's like a sauna in the Sahara»
Jaiyyanuk Huq is the artistic director of Grey group. He explains to Les Observateurs, France 24: « There is often flooding in Bangladesh. As a result, most people build sheet metal houses - not with mud - in the countryside. And about 70% of Bangladeshis live in this type of housing. The problem is that it's really hot in the summer, especially in the north and centre of the country. It's like being in a sauna in the Sahara!».
« Ashis Paul, one of the managers started thinking about how we could help these people. One day, he heard his daughter's physics teacher explain to him that the air was cooling when it was moving fast. Since he has always been passionate about science, he started doing some experiments. That's how he came up with the idea of making an air conditioner out of plastic bottles and that's how the Eco-cooler was born ».
Ashis Paul, Eco Cooler designer (Les Observateurs) Source: Les Observateurs
How to make an Eco-cooler?
- Plastic water bottles must be cut in half, then placed on a board in suitable holes previously drilled.
Eco cooler (Les Observateurs) Source: Les Observateurs
2. Then you have to insert the board in the window's frame: the necks of the bottles must be on the side of the interior of the house.
Eco cooler (Les Observateurs) Source: Les Observateurs
Eco cooler (Les Observateurs) Source: Les Observateurs
«We distribute Eco-cooler units for free»
The Eco-Cooler is able to lower the temperature of 5 degrees. A big difference in Bangladesh with unbreathable heats during summer.
Jaiyyanuk Huq says: « Our agency, Grey, decided that it would be a pro-bono project: we are distributing Eco-cooler units for free. We designed the first prototype in March 2015 and finalized the project at the end of February this year. To ensure the distribution of Eco-coolers, we have partnered with Grameen Intel [a social economy platform] that works in many villages in Bangladesh. We sent our teams to the villages where Grameen Intel works, to explain to locals how to make Eco-coolers».
«What is really pleasant is the ease with which one can make these objects. First, the basic materials are easy to find: here people do not recycle, so there are a lot of empty plastic bottles strewing the streets».
And he continues to explain to Les Observateurs, «We show people how to make the Eco-cooler, and then ask them to do it themselves and explain to others. We have also developed a digital document explaining the step-by-step procedure, which is on our site. It's really easy to follow. Finally, the Eco-cooler is free and the results are immediate».
