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Phase: Research Missions: Track Plastics Around You

Mountains of plastic

A world where we use plastic packaging to package plastic packaging, down to the smallest items (candy)...

Photo of Sauyeng Dixon
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I've started tracking plastic around me and along my everyday pathway. Disturbing and unnerving to realise how much plastic packaging has become the norm. From plastic sweets wrapper, to plastic bags to wrap vegetables and fruits which bags we then put in plastic shopping bags, I was completely invaded by plastic. It is also unclear what plastic can be recycled, and what should be discarded. These observations coincide with the boradcast of a new documentary series airing on ABC in Australia, called War on Waste: http://iview.abc.net.au/collection/war-on-waste

In Australia, all waste goes to landfill. What's disturbing, it seems is that plastic bags collected in recycle bins also end up in landfill... :(

How does this research relate to our Use Cases?

Milk carton straw Milk carton straw
Spent a night with my daughter at an airbnb. The host left us some tea, coffee, milk and juice for light breakfast. Provisions were packaged for 2 people, so packages were small.

What is a provocation or insight that might inspire others during this challenge?

Packaging small portions is convenient for single serves and avoid waste of the products (milk, juice, bread, etc.) which are packaged for larger groups. Whilst avoiding waste for the products in question, it creates more plastic waste.

Tell us about yourself

These are personal observations. I'm a consultant in experience design and a mother of two children. I swing from one to the other on a daily basis and depending on which hat I wear, my viewpoint and behaviors are slightly different.
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Attachments (3)

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Fruits and vegetables in plastic bags in plastic shopping bags :(

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plastic wrapper for candy

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Fruits in plastic bag

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This inspired (2)

Tracking Plastic Around Me.
Tracking Plastic Around Me.
Let’s empower citizens to make the right decisions!
Let’s empower citizens to make the right decisions!

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Photo of mary abasi

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Photo of Kate Rushton

Hi Sauyeng Dixon 

Thank you for sharing your observations. Has this resulted in any changes in your purchasing or consumption habits?

I hope to see you in the ideas phase which starts in just over one week's time.

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Photo of Sauyeng Dixon

Thanks for your comment. I am trying to do simple things like re-use the plastic bags I already have when I go grocery shopping. I also say "no thanks" to plastic bags at the register when I can put the items I bought in my bag. Buying food in bulk reduces slightly the amount of plastic waste too... Realise there are many little things you can do that don't necessarily make you get out of your way! :)

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