Worlds First Recycled Cardboard Vacuum Cleaner

7 July 2011

The UK cleaning giants, Vax, is backing a young British designer by producing the world's first cardboard vacuum cleaner, designed by Loughborough University student, Jake Tyler. The device is a high performance vacuum cleaner constructed for optimum sustainability, using recycled and recyclable materials that reduce the burden on landfill

The corrugated cardboard panels that form the body of the Vax ev are easily replaced if damaged and cost just a tenth of the price of an equivalent plastic panel. They are multi-purpose too, beginning their life as part of the retail box the vacuum cleaner is sold in.

Once the flame retardant coated cardboard parts are separated from the box, they "pop" into place around the motor housing, without any need for glue.

Components that cannot practically be made of cardboard have been produced from recyclable, pure nylon plastic using RP (rapid process) manufacturing, rather than injection moulding, which means the Vax ev can be manufactured locally to order, without the need for costly tooling moulds and assembly lines, whilst avoiding long distance distribution.



Industrial design student Jake Tyler developed the Vax ev for his final year degree project at Loughborough University. He was supported by the New Product Design team at Vax's headquarters in Worcestershire, where he worked for a year under the company's student placement scheme.

The Vax ev's revolutionary design has already won him a prize from the university and a place at the New Designers exhibition of the UK's best graduate work, held at the Business Design Centre in London from 6-9th July.

Vax is now exploring a limited production run of the vacuum cleaner.

"With sustainability becoming an increasing concern for manufacturers, the Vax ev shows just what can be achieved when young designers are encouraged to think creatively and push the boundaries of product design," said Paul Bagwell, Director of NPD at Vax. "It's so important that manufacturers such as ourselves support young British designers like Jake, as they are the key to this country's future success."

The 22-year-old an industrial design student at Loughborough University said: "I have really high hopes for the product, especially in Asian markets such as Hong Kong and China. It is very cheap to manufacture.

"I got the idea when we were looking at the manufacture of vacuum cleaners and thinking how to cut out as much waste as possible.

"It is about being environmentally conscious by using cardboard and making it as recyclable as we possibly can."

For more information visit www.vax.co.uk

Darrel Moore