ReFlow
Redesigning the Path of Waste for a Sustainable Waterway Future
A community-led service that helps boaters and canal users in London manage waste more sustainably. Developed as part of a service design master’s project, our team collaborated closely to reimagine waste flows along the canal by promoting reuse through open-deck exchange events and shared resources.
I contributed across all stages by shaping ideas, conducting research, creating visual materials, and collaborating with various stakeholders, helping to foster cleaner waterways and stronger community connections
"Its really hard to dispose my waste, as the bins on the canal are always full"
- Emma, Continuous Cruiser
(Boater who needs to move every 2 weeks)
“I’ll search for a nearby cafe to search for bins to throw my rubbish out every time I moored ”
- Chuntian, Continuous Cruiser
Challenge
The limited waste disposal points and budget constraints of the CRT (Canal & River Trust) have caused tensions between boaters and the CRT. This creates overflow of waste in the canals, as boaters struggle to find sufficient and accessible bins for proper waste disposal.
Problem
Limited waste facilities, recyclable options, and storage space on boats
Transient mobile lifestyle that makes waste disposal more time consuming
Knowledge gap in preventative waste practices
Lack of visibility of existing informal practices of sharing resources given Continuous cruisers loose network.
Research Insight: Rethinking Waste for Circularity
Our project identifies the limitations of today’s linear waste cycle, where waste moves from consumption to landfill with minimal intervention. This outdated approach not only neglects long-term environmental consequences but also lacks meaningful community participation.
To address these gaps, we propose a shift toward a circular and sustainable model. Our research uncovered key barriers—limited awareness, low community engagement, and the absence of preventive strategies. In response, our approach prioritizes prevention, reduction, and reuse, supported by education, awareness, and integrated community involvement as core drivers of a more resilient waste system
Our Sevice Proposal
HYPOTHESES
If we create a dedicated resource sharing and exchange platform, then it can foster a collaborative community and be a catalyst for knowledge exchange to encourage adoption of preventative waste practices.
Leading us to create ReFlow - a hybrid resource and knowledge exchange platform that includes a digital application to facilitate easy resource exchanges between boaters as an alternative way of recycling and repurposing functional and unwanted items based off on their mobile lifestyles as well as including physical exchange days based on their moored location to increase visibility of resource sharing to foster a supportive sharing community.
Boaters can discover ReFlow through various channels and apply for a flag. By placing items they no longer need but others might find useful on their boats, they actively participate in the platform. This approach facilitates resource sharing and promotes social community.
Tying back to a more circular model of thinking about waste, we had devised this into phases of how it might work and eventually creating a ripple effect to contribute back to the larger economy and sustainable waste management goals of the local government.
Through this, our vision is to create a sharing economy built off on a culture of mutual support and active participation in preventative waste efforts to drive a greener community.
COLLABORATION
Alongside Canal Dream, Floating Classroom, and Global Generation, we took part in two key workshops at RCA Service Design:
Discovery Workshop – Identifying challenges and opportunities
Prototyping Workshop – Testing ideas and gathering feedback
The Floating Classroom also generously hosted and supported our prototyping sessions onboard. In February 2025, we presented our final projects to partners, not just as a showcase of ideas, but as a prototype for cross-sector collaboration, uniting academia, local culture, environment, and education to reimagine the future of our canals.