Seven years ago, Orange Sky was born from a simple, practical and somewhat crazy idea to help people doing it tough. Many had doubts and some even thought it was impossible, but that’s the nature of innovation; it’s daunting and uncertain, yet still full of hope.
With connection to our community and the environment as important as ever, Orange Sky is proudly introducing our newest innovation – the Waru Dryer. From its powerful artistic exterior to its innovative engineering, the Waru Dryer is no conventional clothes dryer. As the first initiative from our dedicated Imagination & Innovation department (otherwise known as Team Delta), the Waru Dryer provides more efficient ways to support people doing it tough, whilst being kinder to our planet.
Top five things you need to know about the Waru Dryer:
🔥 New clothes dryer powered by fuel burners and batteries (charged using solar)
🔥 Reduces energy consumption by up to 80%
🔥 Same drying time
🔥 Allows more Orange Sky services in farther remote regions
🔥 Waru means ‘fire’ in Pitjantjatjara language
🔥 Wrapped in powerful artwork by Rhoda Tjitayi, Pitjantjatjara woman
“Putting dryers into mobile units has traditionally required significant resources and ongoing repairs,” said Orange Sky Co-founder, Nic Marchesi. He said, “These issues would limit what we could achieve and where we could operate. Cleaning and drying clothes is integral to our service, so we tackled the problem head on.”
Lead engineer, Ben Battaglia said, “Most clothes dryers use electrical resistance heating elements, which are inherently large users of electrical energy, so we focused on ways to eliminate the need for these elements.”
By changing the heating mechanism, the new dryer is powered by fuel burners and batteries (which are charged using solar), eliminating the need for generators. This means the Waru Dryer reduces energy consumption by up to 80%. In addition, the new system is more reliable, drastically reducing vehicle weight and build costs, and making it possible for vans to access more remote communities.
“We want to be there for Aussies doing it tough no matter where they live. If we’re able to expand and help more people at the same time as easing the strain on the environment, then I think that’s a wonderful thing,” Nic said.
The Waru Dryer was designed on Anangu land, built on Yuggera land, and shared with all lands that always was and always will be, Aboriginal land. We acknowledge that ideas and innovation are not new to these lands, with ancestral ties dating back over 60,000 years.
‘Waru’ translates to mean ‘fire’ in Pitjantjatjara language, which in reference to the land where the artwork was created and where the idea of the Waru dryer was first conceived. In many cultures, fire is the main meeting place where people come together to connect – as is the ambition of each Orange Sky shift. The power of the Waru Dryer is coupled with the moving artwork displayed on its exterior, painted by artist Rhoda Tjitayi (Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara land).
Solving problems to help more people has been at the core of Orange Sky’s DNA since conception. The new Waru Dryer is another way we can positively connect communities, and will be rolled out across our services starting with our remote locations.
Ready to innovate with us?
Orange Sky Australia • 2020 • 17 Dover Street, Albion Queensland 4010 • (07) 3067 5800 • ABN/Charity ID: 85890622990 • We are a registered charity with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC) All donations over $2 are fully tax deductible as a Deductible Gift Recipient by the Australian Tax Office
Orange Sky acknowledges Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the Traditional Custodians of the lands across Australia. We pay our respect to Ancestors and their descendants who hold a continued cultural and spiritual connection to the land, seas and community and would like to recognise and uphold First Nations knowledge and contributions of all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. We are committed to working together to create a positive future through our Reconciliation Action Plan.
