The 12 Best Designs From 2009's International Plastics Design Competition

The 2009 International Plastics Design Competition (IPDC) took place in Chicago in June and the 12 winners are absolutely awesome products, innovators in their respective fields as well as in plastics engineering. And they were all designed to be sustainable, cost effective, and to reduce our carbon footprint.

The event, sponsored by the Alliance of Plastic Processors, awarded 12 product designs in categories such as Recreation and Leisure, Furniture, Packaging and Materials, and Retail... but first the People's Choice Award!

1.  People's Choice Award: Excelec & CIA Prepaid Energy Meter

This innovative device was designed by the Research Institute for Plastics and Rubber at EAFIT University in Columbia, South America.  The device is intended for poor people in rural Columbia who can't afford to pay for a constant supply of energy to power their homes. The Prepaid Energy Meters work a lot like prepaid cell phones.  You contract for a specific amount of power for a specific amount of time, and when you are ready for some light, just dial it in. Once US dollar can buy about 2 hours of light.

Not only impressive in concept and ecological design, the product was commended for the ecological choice of materials and technical features.  For example, the Prepaid Energy Meter is made from post-consumer recycled PET from soda and water bottles and the batteries are lead-free.

2.  Best Recreation & Leisure Award: Durham Boat Competition Aero Oar

Designed by Michael Dreher, the Aero Oar shaft and blade are aerodynamically designed for maximum air resistance.  Stiff and lightweight, the Competition Oar is made of high modulus carbon and syntactic foam.  The handle is adjustable and removable with a fit under the sleeve of the oar.

3.  Best Furniture Award: The Embody® Chair By Herman Miller

The ultimate in ergonomic sitting, Herman Miller's latest biomechanical desk chair, the Embody, had input from healthcare, ergonomics, and material science professionals, but the design was by Jeff Weber and the late Bill Stumpf.  The innovation of the Embody Chair is freedom of movement; that is, both the seat and the back of the chair move with you while while they support you.  So lean over, lean back, get comfortable; the Embody's going with you.