From Farm to Future: Introducing Our Bold Project Turning Crop Waste into Innovative Packaging

Hello readers! Welcome to the first official blog post of the AgriWrap journey! With this post, we are excited to introduce ourselves and shed light on how our team of five undergraduate students from Lehigh University found ourselves on this mission. We have been brought together with the common interest and goal of diverting food waste in the Philippines and creating a value-added product utilizing this waste. Our ultimate goal at AgriWrap is to develop sustainable packaging material using agricultural waste, simultaneously addressing the issues of food waste diversion and single-use plastics, which have severe repercussions, particularly in coastal cities like Manila.

Over the past few months, we have diligently gathered information and collaborated with the Humanitarian Engineering, Entrepreneurship, and Design (HEED) Program at the University of the Philippines Diliman. This partnership has been crucial in accessing local knowledge and establishing valuable connections to ensure our efforts are directed toward relevant and up-to-date sources. Having partners in the same time zone as potential collaborators and farmers has been an added advantage.

During our research, we initially explored various food waste streams, analyzing published papers, raw data, and information from existing companies. Eventually, we narrowed our focus to agriculture by-products, given their abundance in the Philippines, where agriculture contributes to nearly 25% of employment, with approximately 5.56 million farms recorded in the 2012 census. Our efforts were centered on identifying techniques to transform these by-products into a cardboard-like or film-like material, with a specific focus on corn husks, which showed the most promising potential for sustainable packaging.

Before our journey from America to Manila, we created a lab plan to test different techniques and mixtures for creating our product and began our experiments. With numerous material options available to us, our aim is to develop a film-like material that serves as a viable alternative to single-use plastics like plastic wrap.

Estefania R. and Matt O. (left to right) in the lab testing processing techniques

The global sustainable packaging industry, valued at $273 billion in 2023, is projected to grow annually at a rate of 7.67% over the next five years, with similar growth trends in the Philippines. This indicates a vast market opportunity for introducing innovative packaging solutions in the near future. In preparation for our trip to Manila, we have identified and reached out to potential partners across the packaging ecosystem, including farmers, research institutions, startup incubators, universities, packaging facilities, and sustainable storefronts.

Our concept: closing the waste loop creating a cradle-to-cradle design

With our fieldwork goals firmly set, our two-week agenda in Manila will focus on several key aspects:

1. Exploring Packaging Lifecycles: By engaging with municipal waste facilities and professionals dealing with plastic and biodegradable waste, we aim to understand the impacts of plastic waste and create a product that can be easily composted or decomposed in these environments. Our commitment to a cradle-to-cradle design ensures zero waste from the disposal of our product.

2. Collaborating with Packaging Manufacturers: Conversations with plastic and biodegradable packaging manufacturers will provide valuable insights into the processing of raw materials, production costs, customer price preferences, and potential challenges related to sourcing, demand, and existing packaging solutions.

3. Understanding Farm Waste and Its Impacts: Interactions with farmers and related organizations will help us identify wasted crop parts, their current disposal methods, and the implications of such waste on land use and farmers' profits. This information will guide us in selecting appropriate agricultural resources and establishing fair pricing for the waste.

4. Partnership with Farm Konek: Our collaboration with Farm Konek, facilitated by their ongoing communication with HEED students, will offer valuable insights into the types of waste generated by farmers and foster direct connections with them. This partnership not only aids in securing a reliable supply of raw materials but also empowers farmers by providing additional income through waste repurposing.

Our fieldwork will involve engaging with business incubators, farmer organizations, packaging manufacturers, sellers, and municipal waste facilities. These interactions will not only create interest in our venture but also pave the way for its successful implementation. As we embark on this journey to create a sustainable packaging solution, our fieldwork goals will serve as a compass, steering us toward a product that aligns with both environmental consciousness and economic viability. By immersing ourselves in the local landscape and collaborating with key stakeholders, we are confident in our ability to drive meaningful change and contribute to a cleaner, greener world.

References:

O’Neill, A. (2023, July 21). Philippines - employment by Economic Sector. Statista. https://www.statista.com/statistics/578788/employment-by-economic-sector-in-philippines/

Philippine Statistics Authority. (2020, August 4). 2012 Census of Agriculture and Fisheries - Statistical Tables. Philippine Statistics Authority. https://psa.gov.ph/content/2012-census-agriculture-and-fisheries-statistical-tables

Sustainable Packaging Market Size & Share Analysis - Industry Research Report - Growth Trends. (n.d.). https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/sustainable-packaging-market