Pa Per Waste : An innovation journey about disposable consumers products

Abstract: This report is about an innovative project on the sustainable design of disposable products triggered by critical thinking related to the environmental protection and use of paper-based disposable products.   The project is set against the backdrop of the UN End-plastic-pollution initiative, in the 21st century when plastic waste is proliferating and microplastics spread across the planet's ecosystems are already causing a serious environmental crisis. With a focus on disposable products, the project investigates and analyses the sustainability and experience of using paper-based disposable products as an alternative to plastic.   The authors argue that neither disposable products nor plastics are responsible for the current environmental crisis, but rather that the main problem lies in the leakage of disposable products through their life cycle, which is mainly related to consumer behaviour and life cycle management.   The study proposes a systemic innovation that combines enhanced lifecycle management through emerging technologies and a subscription service model for disposable products with user-centred principles. The innovation includes lifecycle maps, user journey maps and user interfaces as visual outcomes.   Finally, an assessment of the potential risks of the systemic innovative solution and a summary and reflection of the overall project are presented.