Minnesota, USA
Utilized in manufacturing facilities in the food and beverage industries, the 3M Environmental Scrub Sampler Stick combines an innovative design and high-tech materials into an environmentally-conscious sampling device.
The 3M Design team worked collaboratively with business, marketing, engineering, and manufacturing partners to design and develop a product solution that addresses the needs of the end user, improves the performance of the device, and lessens the environmental impact of a high-volume product.
Through collaborative rounds of iterative testing and prototyping, the 3M Environmental Scrub Sampler Stick was designed with 15% less plastic compared to industry competitors while simultaneously improving the ergonomics, comfort, and usability of the device.
For its innovative design, the 3M Environmental Scrub Sampler Stick has recently been awarded a 2022 Green GOOD DESIGN Sustainability Award by The Chicago Athenaeum: Museum of Architecture and Design and The European Centre for Architecture Art Design and Urban Studies.
The 3M Environmental Scrub Sampler is an innovative solution for environmental microbial sampling applications that promotes an enhanced sample collection experience with scrub dot technology to disrupt biofilm on the sampled surface, an ergonomically designed stick with reduced amounts of plastic, and a user-friendly one-step twist detachment on the handle.
With this next-generation sample collection tool now a part of the 3M™ Sample Collection, Preparation, and Processing family, environmental testing will be more consistent, reliable, and convenient.
The 3M Environmental Scrub Sampler will improve a food manufacturer’s ability to produce safe foods by investigating their process, leading to less water usage, reducing pollution, and improving food safety.
It is designed for use with downstream detection methods such as 3M Petrifilm Plates and the 3M Molecular Detection System, to offer the food manufacturing industry a broad solution for proactive, integrated environmental monitoring and food microbiological testing.
The multi-layered non-woven composite material is designed for the pickup, release, and absorbency of bacteria when sampling environmental surfaces.
The sampling device incorporates scrub dot technology to disrupt biofilm and enhance sampling collection paired with an ergonomic stick that conforms to multiple grip types and features an easy-to-use 1-step twist detachment mechanism.
The 3M Environmental Scrub Sampler Stick is also the first sampling device of its kind to be metal detectable, allowing it to be spotted if a technician were to misplace it, and therefore enabling food manufacturers to prevent waste from potential food and beverage recalls.
Project: 3M Environmental Scrub Sampler Stick
Designers: 3M Design, The 3M Company
Manufacturer: The 3M Company
Images Courtesy of 3M