SCRAPS
Carrie-Anne Andrews
Scraps is an idea that turns food waste created by primary schools into paper. Students can make paper in the classroom using food waste generated by their school, whilst learning about the environment and the importance of recycling.
If Scraps is taken beyond the classroom, it has the potential to disrupt the current way in which paper is produced by creating a closed loop system using primary school food waste to produce the exercise books and supplies needed for learning
Design Problem
The initial starting point occurred whilst observing the habits and attitudes towards food and food waste. Food being half eaten and thrown away or left for someone else to clear up.
I carried out primary and secondary research around shopping habits and the effects consumerism may have on food waste. I then did a user trip at a local supermarket to gain a better understanding of why people purchase so much food as well as questioning and surveying various supermarkets and shoppers.
After carrying out extensive research around shopping habits, gaps formed around the value of food and the attitudes people have towards food waste. The findings changed the direction of enquiry from seeing food at the end of its cycle to seeing food waste as a resource. Further research pointed towards a lack of education around food waste as well as the amount of food waste being produced, showing primary schools created the most amount within the education sector (Biotech) The research enabled the reframing of the initial problem and an opportunity to focus on primary schools.
Research then led me to visit primary schools, speak with waste management companies, question students and investigate the process of paper manufacturing.
Problem exploration
Several ideas and options were developed by looking at food as an output of waste within the education system. Reframing food waste as an input allowed for the development of SCRAPS. The vision helped develop the following criteria:
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Must be hands-on
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Educational
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Value food as a resource not a waste product
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Go beyond the classroom
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Strengthen circular economy
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Protect the environment
Process
Email: Andrews-2019@outlook.com
Facebook: Carrie-Anne Andrews
Twitter handle: @PrincessPink82
Instagram handle: cazandrews82
TikTok Handle: @caz_zz_er
About me
I’m Carrie-Anne, a 43-year-old mature student from Bristol. I am a full-time mum, and carer to my autistic child. I live with disabilities myself and balance family life, caregiving, and study. I hope to use my study experience to build a carer focused on sustainability, combining my personal resilience with a commitment in creating a better future for my son and future generations