are rubber kitchen products sustainable?
natural rubber is made from the sap of a tropical tree, known as latex, and it has to be harvested from the tree by scraping off the bark and letting the sap run out.
rubber trees can take 7 years to fully mature, and if the supply and demand of rubber is too high, it could lead to deforestation and loss of ecosystems.
natural
synthetic
synthetic products are petroleum-based, which are made from crude oil, and combined with other chemicals so that they can be used effectively.
since crude oil is a non-renewable resource, the collection of this oil for rubber production will eventually cause them to run out of this resource.
meaning?
neither method of rubber production is sustainable or good for long-term solutions.
design goals
design an eco-friendly set of kitchenware made from a sustainable material that won’t contribute to plastic waste, give back to the environment, and at the same time educate people on the importance of living a sustainable, healthy life.
environmental impact...
concept 1: recycled tires
wasting natural resources
rubber trees take 5-7 yrs to fully mature, and then must be tapped every day for the next 25 yrs.
pollution
even sitting in the sun, a tire releases methane gas and other chemicals into the ground water.
insect infestation
tires are a perfect breeding ground for vector-borne illnesses, as the inside holds water.
fire destruction
if a tire catches on fire, it releases toxic smoke clouds into the air, which are hard to put out.
environmental impact...
concept 2: dandelion latex
agriculture friendly
the Russian dandelion can be grown on poor soil, meaning it doesn't compete with agriculture.
no chemicals
after harvesting, "hot water extraction" is used to separate the rubber, meaning no chemicals needed.
tire durability
tires are meant to take on different properties, but natural rubber degrades quicker so they'd need to be changed often.
environmental impact...
concept 3: hemp plastic
eco-friendly
hemp has a very high fiber content and grows quickly in any conditions, while also restoring soil and providing various other ecological benefits.
easy process
compared to other bioplastics, hemp bioplastic is easier to manufacture due to the abundance of the raw material and its high cellulose content.
biodegradable
normally, hemp BP begins to decompose around six months. under special conditions, average-grade hemp BP should last at least 5-10 years before degrading.
conclusions...
recycled tire rubber
there are too many chemicals found in rubber tires and people don't find the concept of kitchen utensils made from tires appealing.
dandelion latex
too weak of a rubber derived from this plant, and the plant is not native to the US.
Indian hemp
when made from 100% natural resin, hemp plastic can be a biodegradable product.
why Indian hemp rubber?
reduces plastic waste
consumers can reduce 25%-100% of plastic waste by switching to hemp plastic products.
eco-friendly
by using 100% bio-based resin, the polymers in hemp plastics can be biodegradable or compostable.
carbon negative
hemp is a renewable resource that consumes far more greenhouse gasses than are emitted in its production.
material process...
collect raw materials
chemical baths
molding and cooling
extract cellulose
extrusion and finishing
find a suitable source of raw hemp material for use in hemp plastic production.
once extracted, the hemp cellulose goes through soaking processes that purify it and prevent crystallization.
once finished, the hemp plastic is placed in molds and allowed to cool in its final form. the finished hemp plastic is then turned into other products.
using a variety of different methods, the idea is to remove as much cellulose as possible without damaging it or including any other substances.
the finished hemp cellulose plastic is heated and either extruded through small holes to make strings or kept in bricks or sheets.
product users...
age:
where:
reason:
goals:
frustrations:
goals:
frustrations:
durability
functionality
safety
easy to clean
aesthetics
age:
where:
reason:
branding...
app design
