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Phase: Ideas Opportunity Areas: Products to People – Reimagine Delivery Models

Don't be Plastic!

A lipstick refill system that reduces the production of non-recyclable waste in lipstick packaging, and acts as an awareness campaign.

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Don't be Plastic! Is essentially a lipstick refill system. Cosmetic packaging produces 30% of all plastic waste on the planet, and we could reduce the waste crated if we reuse parts of the packaging. 

In our system when the customer use up a lipstick, they could go to a local cosmetic store to refill the lipstick.

There would be a machine that is easy to operate, where you could place the empty lipstick case in, push a button, and a new stick of lipstick (could be in a different shade) snaps into the case. 

This system would therefore eliminate the amount of empty plastic lipstick cases produced, and still manage to offer a variety of lipstick shades for the customers to choose from. 

Also, the refill system will be more affordable to the customers as the cost of lipstick cases is now reduced. There could also be an incentive system that give discount to loyal consumers. For example, if you refill lipsticks 5 times your could get a free refill.

Idea Title

Don't be Plastic! ----Don't limit yourself with one color, Be unlimited like the ocean.

Where are you / your team located?

New York City

Which use cases does your Idea apply to?

We are targeting 15-23 years old females that frequently purchase cosmetic products. We conducted primary research at multiple cosmetic and analogous stores, such as Lush, Glossier, Muji, Sephora, and Lavender (a local cosmetic boutique at Union Square). From the research we learnt that young female customers like changes, need something more affordable, and tend to follow market trends. Therefore we could raise awareness by promoting eco-friendly practices in cosmetic production.

In what geographical context or area does your Idea plan to operate / solve?

We want to test our idea out in New York first, and if it goes well we could expand to operate from one state to another until cosmetic recycling becomes a lifestyle in the entire United States.

How do you envision scaling up your Idea?

We want to test our idea out in New York first, and if it goes well we could expand to operate from one state to another until cosmetic recycling becomes a lifestyle in the entire United States.

At what stage of development is your Idea?

  • Research & Early Testing: You are exploring an idea, gathering inspiration and information needed to test it with real users.
  • Prototyping: You have conducted some small tests or experiments with prospective users and will continue developing idea through these tests.

Please describe from where your Idea emerged

University research.

Tell us about your work experience

Our project is for the Parsons Summer design management program. We are students.
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Attachments (4)

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Business Model Canvas for our design.

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Our research process - brainstorming (areas of intervention, stakeholder personae, how might we questions, and research insights ).

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Our research process - secondary research (government plans and user cases).

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Our research process - primary research (interview and observations in New York City cosmetic stores and analogous cases).

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