Learn from China:
I think we can replicate plastic into the local craft techniques: weaving techniques. The weaving of Chinese folk crafts is world-famous, and various representative weaving techniques have been spread since “hemudu” culture period. Archaeologists proved that the folk craft in “liangzhu” culture period two or three thousand years ago already had a reed, bamboo, and other woven fabrics. Slowly folk craft appeared more kwai, brown, willow, hemp weaving. So I think we can use plastic to be the material for weaving techniques. We can use the heating iron to melt many layers of plastic to make a strong fabrication for weaving.
Interesting Plastic Solutions In “Bio-Thinking” Framework:
- Environmental-friendly Recycled Plastic Material in the Sneakers Industry
I discover interesting solutions in the sneakers industry, which is my favorite hobby. So as I mentioned in the first class, many sneakers brand had the techniques for recycled materials.
For example, Adidas collects plastic materials from the ocean. Adidas uses all recycled materials for shoes. “Adidas says it has been working on this project for the past six years, and the goal with it is to do its part in generating less plastic waste”. The quotation from a news report(link is at the bottom) shows the intention of Adidas- to reduce generating less plastic waste. That perfectly matches the Bio-thinking framework “Design is the key”. We need to improve the “eco-efficiency ” from the design. For the big shoe industry, the promotion of recycled materials can fundamentally reduce the use of materials for making shoes.
2.Plastic Packaging Alternatives ( Substitute Materials, Bio-everything in Bio-thinking frame)
There are many alternatives materials for packaging. What I find out are:
- Plant-based plastics
- Mushroom root
- Mushroom root
- Seaweed water bubbles
- Shower-friendly paper
- Stone paper and plastic
- Palm leaves
- Corn starch and sorghum loose fill
- Edible six-pack ring
- Silberboard – metallised paper
- Wood pulp cellophane
- Prawn shell plastic bags
- Milk plastic
Most of them are bio-degradable and environmental-friendly. More details in the link at the bottom. That matches with the framework in Bio-thinking, “Substitute Materials” and “Bio-everything”.
3. Patagonia Worn Wear Project.
Patagonia has a Worn Wear Project. The owner of Patagonia clothes can return their clothes back to Patagonia and Patagonia will help them recycle it. This project is good communication with consumers, which can help the consumers to have a sense of recycling and protecting the environment. That is just what Bio-thinking thought: “The product communicates information that leads to a better environmental performance, usually by changing the behaviour of users”.
Patagonia ’ve made progress on recycling the high-quality polyester and nylon used in many products—in 1993, Patagonia was the first outdoor clothing manufacturer to transform trash into fleece. They are constantly evaluating new materials and reevaluating existing ones. When the best available materials aren’t good enough to meet the need, they work closely with our suppliers to develop outstanding new fabrics.
Reference:
https://zhuanlan.zhihu.com/p/31163665
https://www.innovationexcellence.com/blog/2018/07/02/13-plastic-packaging-alternatives/
https://www.patagonia.ca/reuse-recycle.html
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