Beyond Packaging
Biomaterial packaging parts made from recycled tea waste
Individual Project
Timeline: 11/02/2024
Scale: Various
Material: Bio-foam, Bio-plastic
This project transforms post-consumer tea waste into an innovative, eco-friendly packaging solution. This project redefines packaging as an interactive platform that embraces sustainability and creative reuse.
It aims to reshape packaging material not as a disposable shell but as an integral part of the product that extends its life and utility, encouraging users to integrate the packaging into their daily lives rather than discarding it.
Corner protector
Biofoam protector for the edges while providing scent
Lid protector
Biofoam protection for shipping and provide scent while use
Surface cover
Bioplastic cover that can adjusted to any shape for shiping
Background
My research began with a curiosity about the cultural journey of tea—how a single plant traveled across continents and evolved through different societies.
Iteration
I experimented with tea waste to develop both bio foam and bio plastic, testing different formulas for strength, flexibility, and texture. Through iterative trials, I refined the material properties to suit protective uses. The mold designs were adjusted over time to improve ease of casting and ensure functional fit.
User Journey
Protection is a crucial step in the journey before a product reaches the customer. However, once its purpose is served, packaging often becomes waste—contributing to environmental pollution. This project asks: how can that moment of protection be reimagined to serve a continued purpose, offering value to at least one party—whether the user, the environment, or the product itself?
Impact
I developed a set of biomaterial packaging components using tea waste, including bio foam and bio plastic, designed to protect various surfaces of a product—such as corners, lids, and flat areas. These materials not only offer cushioning and structure but are also intended to be carried along with the product after unboxing, serving additional functions like scent diffusion or surface protection, and minimizing packaging waste.