Saturday, March 27, 2010
What is sustainable packaging?
I repeat this post from January 2009. It is a good list to keep in mind. What Sustainable Packaging Design is according to SPC – Concluded in 8 points;
- Is beneficial, safe & healthy for individuals and communities throughout its life cycle
- Meets market criteria for performance and cost
- Is sourced, manufactured, transported, and recycled using renewable energy
- Maximizes the use of renewable or recycled source materials
- Is manufactured using clean production technologies and best practices
- Is made from materials healthy in all probable end-of-life scenarios
- Is physically designed to optimize materials & energy
- Is effectively recovered and utilized in biological and/or industrial cradle to cradle cycles.
A sustainable packaging project
Gotta Moo
Gotta Moo focuses on the most eco-friendly method for milk packaging. This greener milk packaging solution will be made out of Sugarcane Bagasse molded pulp paper, coated inside with sugarcane lignin and printed with vegetable based inks, all based on food safe materials. Bagasse is an annually renewable plant resource and is compostable and recyclable. This can replace plastic and plastic coated packaging, which is currently used in the food/beverage industry today. This packaging solution does not rely on oil extraction and it also minimizes green house gas emissions. This new molded pulp milk packaging solution could be an eco-friendly vision of the future.
How will this new milk packaging solution benifit us and the planet?
Bagasse is normally seen as a waste product and incinerated, thus creating air pollution. Making a milk package out of residual sugarcane fiber actually decreases air pollution, adds value to the package, it is environmentaly friendly and is a non-invasive resource. The use of bagasse, a renewable resource, helps prevent the destruction of 30,000 acres of forest land every year. This greener solution can replace plastic bottles and virgin tree based paper laminated cartons, replacing it with a new alternative sugarcane lignin coating.
This material can stand temperatures up to 190 degrees Fahrenheit, is microwavable and freezer safe and extremely hygenic, having been sterilized and sanitized and exposed to high temperatues during the molding process. Sugarcane Bagasse is one of the most plentiful by products of the sugar production process, and for every ton of refined sugar produced, there are two tons of bagasse produced as well.Bagasse is extremely light weight and has excellent performance characteristics.
Bagasse is in itself an agricultural waste, it is represented as 100% recycled material. There is an abundant supply of bagasse in the world. What better way is there to make a milk paper carton than using abundant, sustainable, clean material made from agricultural waste!
Bagasse is normally seen as a waste product and incinerated, thus creating air pollution. Making a milk package out of residual sugarcane fiber actually decreases air pollution, adds value to the package, it is environmentaly friendly and is a non-invasive resource. The use of bagasse, a renewable resource, helps prevent the destruction of 30,000 acres of forest land every year. This greener solution can replace plastic bottles and virgin tree based paper laminated cartons, replacing it with a new alternative sugarcane lignin coating.
This material can stand temperatures up to 190 degrees Fahrenheit, is microwavable and freezer safe and extremely hygenic, having been sterilized and sanitized and exposed to high temperatues during the molding process. Sugarcane Bagasse is one of the most plentiful by products of the sugar production process, and for every ton of refined sugar produced, there are two tons of bagasse produced as well.Bagasse is extremely light weight and has excellent performance characteristics.
Bagasse is in itself an agricultural waste, it is represented as 100% recycled material. There is an abundant supply of bagasse in the world. What better way is there to make a milk paper carton than using abundant, sustainable, clean material made from agricultural waste!
http://www.behance.net/Gallery/Gotta-Moo_-Milk-Packaging/231880
Bio-degradable packaging for McDonalds
Fast food packaging is creating loads of waste and takes up a big chunk of our landfill space. Each burger is individually wrapped in plastic coated paper and thrown into a paper bag with a few paper napkins. The arts grad student, Andrew Millar, designed biodegradable packaging for McDonald’s from grass paper, which has naturally grease-resistant properties. Andrew visited the restaurants through his work and noticed that people would often rip their bags into a tray, why he designed his bag to open out into a comfortable eating station. The outer part of bag is made from recycled pulp paper, and grease-proof grass paper lines the inside. Both are highly biodegradable and definitely more sustainable than clear-cutting. Via Inhabitat
Social responsibility
Design for Social Responsibility
Series Editor: Professor Rachel Cooper
In the 1980s and 1990s profit and ethical issues were no longer considered mutually exclusive and more market-oriented concepts emerged, such as the 'green consumer' and ethical investment. The purchase of socially responsible, 'ethical' products and services has been stimulated by the dissemination of research into sustainability issues in consumer publications. Accessibility and inclusivity have also attracted a great deal of design interest and recently designers have turned to solving social and crime-related problems.Social responsibility, in various disguises, has been a recurring theme in design for many years. Since the 1960s several more or less commercial approaches have evolved. In the 1970s designers were encouraged to abandon 'design for profit' in favour of a more compassionate approach inspired by Papanek.
Organisations supporting and funding such projects have recently included the NHS (research into design for patient safety); the Home Office has (design against crime); Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (design decision-making for urban sustainability). Businesses are encouraged (and increasingly forced by legislation) to set their own socially responsible agendas that depend on design to be realised.
Design decisions all have environmental, social and ethical impacts, so there is a pressing need to provide guidelines for designers and design students within an overarching framework that takes a holistic approach to socially responsible design.
Second life
Waste transformed into art
Stuart Haygarth collected waste that was washed up onto Kent Island. He created this chandelier from the rubbish that he accumulated. He has taken something as ugly as rubbish and reused it to create something beautiful.
Another piece of work by Haygarth. Optical Chandelier
The 1.5m diameter chandelier, which contains 3,000 lenses, was premiered at the Trash Luxe exhibition at Liberty in London last month. The chandelier is made of lenses from unwanted prescription spectacles.
Hangerpack two in one
Wine packaging - double use
Tresdon, made of the design firm Icon Packaging. A wine package that transforms from in-store display to carry home packaging to reusable wine rack. In most cases today, wine is shipped in boxes with loads of styrofoam pellets as protection for the bottles. Whereas this package is useful for distribution and also from a consumer’s perspective.
Thoughts for food
Instead of throwing your marmelade jars after usage, these tops will give them a second life. Jorre Van Ast is one of the designers for the interesting company RoyalVkb and the creator of this invention. Each top adds some sort of function to the jar. It’s made of PP and they come in different sizes to fit most of your glass jars.
Sustainable packaging
60Bag – Biodegrades in 60 days. The bag is made of flax-viscose non-woven fabric and was developed and manufactured in Poland. The flax-Viscose fabric is produced with flax fiber industrial waste, which means it doesn’t exploit any natural resources and requires minimal energy during its production. In January this year 60Bag was honoured with the Green Dot Award.
Thursday, March 25, 2010
The collector: Vintage passports
Interview from the collector
What (are you collecting): I collect women's passports from the 1950s and earlier.
When (did you start): 2004.
How (many do you have?): Seven.
Where (do you find them): Ebay, mostly. And friends buy them for me.
Where (do you keep them): On the plate rail of what would be the dining room in a more civilized house, but in our house is the playroom.
What (‘s a crazy/interesting story behind one): One of the first things you notice in these passports is how they were often created to be issued to a traveler and "wife" — husband and wife could travel on one passport, and the assumption was that a traveler would be male, with perhaps a wife coming along. Women traveling solo screwed up the system — the issuer would have to go through crossing out all the blanks for "wife." Children, too, could travel on a passport with their parent.
Why (do you love them): My own passport has always been a prized possession; it represents freedom, possibility, adventure. I like imagining why these women were traveling at a time when women weren't "supposed" to go roaming about, and certainly not unescorted. Their passports give tantalizing hints.
Abstract and key words
How do we define our Identity within a World of Consumption?
As human beings, we are constantly seeking uniqueness and individuality. The artefacts we collect define who we are. In a global society driven by consumption, our consumer habits are contributing to the environments deterioration. Objects with sentimental value or nostalgia carry more value. If we slow down consumption and convenience and increase self discovery and global understanding, our attitudes will become more discerning.
Key Words derived from my abstract.
Fiona: Uniqueness, responsible, society, consumption, upcycling, value, re-use, restore, life-cycle, sustainability, craft
Fiona: Uniqueness, responsible, society, consumption, upcycling, value, re-use, restore, life-cycle, sustainability, craft
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
Trash or treasure
An article that explores the growing trend of upcycling within mainstream culture.
Upcycling
LUMBER LOUNGE
Transform Shipping Flats into Weekend Furniture. Readymade an online magazine that is embracing the system of upcycling. they take old materials and transform them into something new and useful. It's about ingenuity and social responsibility that is making this approach a huge hit. The self gratification that comes with making something yourself, at low cost is worth the time and effort. This chair below cost no more than $10. The website provides a list of ingredients, tools and instructions on how to make these products. By adding in your own personal style such as colour, you can make these a unique and one off item. Something to value a lot longer than a plastic, mass manufactured outdoor chair!!
http://www.readymade.com/projects/article/lumber_lounge
Upcycling
Bike innertube wallet
Making a wallet out of an old tyre. Rather than down cycling old materials and applying lesser value, they have taken something of waste material and given it higher value and a whole new purpose in a 'second life.'
- bomb wallet made from an old inner tube.
- all you need is an innertube and a sewing machine. It's soft, malleable, flexible, durable and aesthetically it's a nice looking design. the rubber is relatively easy to sew and the finished product will fit nicely in the back pocket of anyone who drives a prius or wants to seem just as green.
- all you need is an innertube and a sewing machine. It's soft, malleable, flexible, durable and aesthetically it's a nice looking design. the rubber is relatively easy to sew and the finished product will fit nicely in the back pocket of anyone who drives a prius or wants to seem just as green.
helpful sites
Links that are mainly exploring craft and hand made. some really nice elements and practices.
Betsy & Iya Jewelery 100% handmade
Large, quirky charms and swooping chains characterize much of Cross' designs for a striking yet indubitably feminine effect, while items like the Morse Code Necklace (above right, also customizable) work for a more gender-neutral look.
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
WWF Save paper
Interesting WWF advertisement that uses a see through in the shape of South America on a paper vendor. This advertisement campaign would surely decrease the usage of dry hand papers in the toilet.
Tuesday, March 16, 2010
Raising Awareness
“It is very difficult for a consumer who wants to do the right thing by the planet but part of the trouble is labeling and for the consumer being certain they are buying an eco friendly product would be helpful. There should be a global certificate for genuinely eco-friendly products.”
- a quote I found on a sustainable fashion website that raises a really valid point about sustainable awareness. We should be informing consumers about what they are buying. Where has this product come from and where was it made. If it is made from 100% materials or locally produced then this should be something that is celebrated on the garment or product. The consumer is then rewarded in an emotional sense for buying a product that is less impacting on the environment.
Personalisation
'One off' camera designs. An example of how we can personalise our collections to enhance their story and express an identity that ultimately reflects that of our own. Just as we dress ourselves to express a certain image, we have applied a similar approach to our collections.
The name and lego decoration suggests a sense of nostalgia to our childhood. This camera tells a much stronger narrative to a plain black version. We are constantly trying to define who we are and this is being mirrored in our collections and environment.
an.thro.po.mor.phism
"Does technology need personality?"
Really interesting concept. Branching off personalisation and identity I came across this article that explore the topic of anthropomorphism. How can we form emotion and attachments to objects that have no human emotions? Watch this video! I had to turn it off I felt so sorry for it. The article is attached below.
Peppermint Magazine
Another magazine concerned with sustainable issues and value of items. They are responding to this through embracing DIY and other crafting approaches.
{the world of DIY}
Restoring the LOVE
Returning to DIY
A more focused topic. Restoring the old ways - why don't we make anything ourselves anymore? How society has changed so much that they expect everything to be done for them.
- taps into awareness and knowledge. we have stopped passing our knowledge of craft and ingenuity, so that skill is slowly starting to burn out. Accessibility to clothes is a lot easier and cheaper so we are losing the value of objects. Defining what are our 'needs' and 'wants.' Bringing back nostalgia - restoring value and dignity.
The fact that we don't know where the materials came from, or how our clothes were made makes us naive and minimises the value that we have for them. If you are altering/fixing/making your clothes yourself you are reflecting your identity and style. Standing out, not accepting yourself as a sheep is a good thing, being unique is something to embrace.
Why do we buy second hand? the stories that lie behind it. An item that was made by someone you know or by yourself has a rich history. When we get this item we are prolonging it's life and adding to the narrative.
"World Sweet World Magazine gave you a creative hit every few months to inspire you to get making. It consisted of beautifully illustrated, step-by-step instructions for making cool stuff, followed by feature articles about people, places, and sustainable living."
-World Sweet World magazine dedicated to craft and sustainable pracitces.
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