Product packaging serves as a means to an end, rather than the intended product itself. However, in 2018, containers and packaging accounted for a staggering 28.1 percent of municipal solid waste in the United States, according to the EPA.

Bio-based materials have offered hope in reducing reliance on traditional plastics and lessening packaging-related environmental impact. However, many of the compostable plastics available in the market today behave similarly to conventional plastics in uncontrolled environments and require handling in industrial composting sites for proper treatment. Otherwise, their purpose is defeated.

The harsh reality is that there is currently insufficient infrastructure to manage these materials effectively. Moreover, the current system heavily relies on consumers to segregate materials properly, but fails to provide adequate motivation to do so. Therefore, we must go beyond merely designing products that can be compostable; we must ensure that they will be.

This is why we developed a water-soluble poly bag made from a bio-based material that dissolves in water and can be used as laundry detergent in the washing machine. Our bag represents a packaging solution that adopts a systemic approach, as it does not require additional infrastructure for disposal. Additionally, it provides people with external motivation to discard it properly.

The impact of this project extends beyond the fashion industry; it represents a shift in mindset where waste minimization becomes a priority, and systemic design becomes integral to conceptualizing packaging solutions that embody a holistic approach.

Studio Instructors
Juanli Carrion

Designers
Irmak Yesil, Lucia Jaramillo