Single-Use Plastic Infographic

As part of my research for my Plant-Pyramid Project, I developed this infographic as part of my research on Canadian single-use plastic waste. This project changed shape many times, forcing me to pivot to a new solution that was more holistic and directed at the root cause. My goal from the beginning was to eliminate single-use plastic in the herb and produce sections in supermarkets by designing an alternative system of packaging, or sustainable packaging material.

I quickly realized there were more issues than single-use plastic after choosing this subject. I noticed that not only does this category depend on a lot of wasteful packaging, but it is also one of the largest contributors to food waste in homes. Once packaged in a plastic bag and tossed in the fridge, the produce is either a) forgotten about or b) left to rot due to lack of water or oxygen, both necessary to thrive.

After understanding the larger problems of food waste and single-use plastic that were at play, I began to research what countertop vegetable growers were on the market. It seemed like the main issue users faced was going through produce faster than the yields provided. Through that realization, I came across some research that showed plants growing faster and needing less water due to the shape of the structure it is planted in.

I started by attempting to reduce the use of single-use plastic in herb and produce packaging and ended up eliminating the need for packaging in the first place, reducing the amount of water needed to grow produce, limiting emissions due to reduced transportation of produce, and reducing food waste in households.