SEEDED CARTONS
Have you recently noticed a disruption in your recycling or garbage pickup?
Is your compost bin filled with biodegradable packaging that seems to resist breaking down?
Australia is currently facing a significant waste and recycling crisis, impacting our urban communities on a large scale.
In the past, Australia managed its waste by exporting it to China for recycling. However, China has recently imposed a complete ban on such imports.
Additionally, the labelling of biodegradable packaging lacks comprehensive rules and regulations, leading to greenwashing, where unrealistic claims are made about the complete degradation of biodegradable plastics.
In 2020, CSIRO conducted research on microplastics in our oceans, revealing an alarming estimate of approximately 14 million tons of microplastics scattered across our ocean floors. This has raised serious environmental concerns and underscores the need for effective waste management and sustainable practices.
I propose a solution to address this problem through the implementation of a circular system encompassing three key elements:
A community garden
Seeded Cartons
And, an active community involvement
The community garden would serve as an interactive learning hub, offering locals the chance to enhance their gardening and composting skills. All whilst, Seeded Carton branded bins would be introduced and offered at various local hospitality establishments to collect food and vegetable waste.
Once collected, garden workers and volunteers will responsibly process this waste along with seeds to produce 100% compostable and 'plant-able' packaging known as Seeded Cartons.
In order to make Seeded Cartons more accessible to the community, garden workers and volunteers would sell at farmers markets near the community garden. Here, people can purchase goods that originate from within the garden, forging a meaningful connection between consumers and the source of their products.
After enjoying the products, consumers will be left with the Seeded Cartons, and they will have two sustainable options for their disposal.
The first option involves planting the Seeded Cartons in their own gardens, caring for and nurturing them to grow. This experience could help enlighten consumers about diverse methods of responsible waste management and gain a deeper appreciation for the environment's regenerative capabilities.
The second option is to donate the used Seeded Cartons back to the community garden. Here, they will be planted and utilized to produce new products, thus completing the circular cycle. This process will not only foster an understanding of individual environmental impact but also contribute to the betterment of the community and its local ecosystem.
Through this circular system, I aim to in still a sense of environmental responsibility and community engagement while providing practical and sustainable solutions for waste management and packaging.
By integrating a community garden, Seeded Cartons, and active community participation, we aspire to create a more environmentally conscious and tightly-knit community.
Presented here are the first iteration of designs for my Seeded Cartons.
Alongside them, I have included a prototype of the graphics that will be printed on the packaging to enlighten consumers about the pressing waste crisis and offer clear instructions for returning or planting the packaging.
Alongside them, I have included a prototype of the graphics that will be printed on the packaging to enlighten consumers about the pressing waste crisis and offer clear instructions for returning or planting the packaging.
Seeded Cartons - Berry Box
Seeded Cartons - Herbs Box
Seeded Cartons - Egg Carton
Seeded Cartons - Fruit Box
Seeded Cartons - Collection Bin
