Revive
Developing a sustainable alternative for personal care products in retail stores.
| 2025 | Academic Capstone Project — Individual |
Awarded ‘Best in Environmental Impact’
At UIC School of Design’s Year End Show, 2025
The Problem
There is an excess amount of personal care products on retail shelves that contribute to landfills and pollution.
In the U.S. alone, more than 550 million shampoo bottles are thrown away each year, with less than half Americans recycling their bathroom products.
Even with recycling as a more responsible option, 9% of plastic ever created gets recycled due to constraints and improper waste management which contributes to the 33 billion pounds of plastic that enters the oceans annually.
How might we encourage consumers to sustainably replenish their personal care products, to avoid unnecessary waste through a process?
Opportunity
Through conducting a consumer survey with 41 respondents, I was able to determine the opportunity and direction of the project.
Consumers noted shampoo as the most frequently purchased personal care product, followed by conditioner.
“Refillable” was a key feature of sustainable products identified by consumers.
31 out of 41 consumers surveyed said they were inclined towards buying sustainable alternatives.
Existing Solutions
Current refill systems consist of basic technology and a manual pump or lever system.
Dr. Bronner’s is the most advanced, and only, personal care refill system to be implemented into a large retailer: Whole Foods.
Dr. Bronner’s
The Body Shop
L’Occitaine
Sustain LA
The current market provides room to target large retailers to provide more refill systems and to improve upon existing models.
MoodBoard
Brand Language
Revive as a brand name, invites renewal for individuals, for products, and the planet. The color palette mirrors the soft vibrancy of a flourishing natural landscape.
Brand Logo Font — Nove by Ngene Studio
Technology
Inspired by GSDraft’s ReverseTap dispensing system.
As a speculative concept, Revive would adapt a proven dispensing principle for a new product category. Further engineering validation would be needed, but the design demonstrates an advanced, feasible, and hands-free solution.
Dual Dispensing System
Refillable Bottle w/ Valve
Storyboard
Revive offers an approachable, informative, and advanced, solution to refill shampoo and conditioner bottles at retail stores.
Scale Model
Displayed at UIC School of Design’s Year End Show
Scale ratio: 1:6
