Emma and I want to focus on waste management for the project of field action as a group. We observed that people who order takeout usually stuff everything into a plastic bag after finishing the food, and throw it into one trash bin regardless whatever it is set for. The behavior is extremely common and frequently seen, leading to huge resource waste. Yet research shows a lot of materials are actually recyclable, emptied and rinsed food containers for example (a large portion of containers are degradable, but we believe recyclable ones should be promoted more in terms of saving materials and minimizing waste). Unfortunately, even though people may have consciousness of recycling, unwillingness of sorting things out caused by laziness and possible embarrassment might persist. So we plan to create a easy way for people to classify trash. Several experiments have been conducted, including the designs of trash bins with sections, wet wipes for cleaning containers, related campaigns, and a variety of takeaway boxes.
Our final design is called Eco Box (a takeaway box). We conceive it is made of renewable natural fibers with a transparent non-toxic thermoplastic film attached on the inner surface, which can not only preserve heat, but be biodegradable. People can peel the film after eating to collect food scraps, and then throw it into the trash bin. The box itself would be left clean and recycled. We believe this design would offer the system about trash more sustainablity.
