Hello all! Welcome to a new chapter of AgriWrap. With our first blog post of this year we are excited to introduce the new team of undergraduate students working on this project. The four new students have various engineering and science backgrounds. With our different academic clichés we all come together through our shared interest in sustainability and positive global impact. As we begin our fieldwork this year we would like to reiterate our general purpose and goals for this project. Currently, the Philippines contributes a large amount of plastic waste in the ocean. AgriWrap aims to reduce this plastic waste by encouraging a sustainable packaging alternative. While the previous team focused on researching how to turn agricultural waste into a sustainable packaging alternative, our current team realized that we needed a change of direction with our project. In collaboration with the HEED students at the University of Philippines Diliman and Jonathan Co from Sentinel Upcycling, we found that sustainable packaging is already available in the Philippines for businesses in the food industry to purchase. Although this sustainable packaging is available, it is not widely in use for the majority of food businesses, primarily the smaller food vendors and carts found around the Philippines. To better understand why, we will look into two main issues that present challenges to sustainable packaging usage: marketing this packaging and properly managing biodegradable waste. Our goal for this first week in Manila is to find how AgriWrap can help bridge that gap and promote using sustainable packaging and good waste management strategies in food businesses. Our team has dedicated to focus on plastic generated from street vendors as opposed to larger scale companies and manufacturers. These markets are heavily reliant on single use plastics, and often do not have the means to opt for the more expensive biodegradable packaging. Over the next two weeks we will survey the scene to figure out where we can make the most impact. One avenue to consider is replacing the plastic films that food is wrapped in with a more sustainable option. We plan to accomplish this by speaking with street vendors and visiting markets to better understand what factors go into selecting packaging and what might cause hesitation to use biodegradable packaging. We will conduct extensive market research on street vendors in the Philippines to best understand what specific venture we would like to focus on. Additionally, we were fortunate enough to set up a meeting with SACHI-Group, a company that produces sustainable packaging. We are also reaching out to other sustainability packaging manufacturers and organizations interested in reducing plastic waste in hopes of gaining their perspectives on the usage of biodegradable packaging. From this we hope to gain insight into the process required to manufacture biodegradable packaging. Jonathan Co from Sentinel Upcycling has been a big help in acquiring these connections and reaching out to them. With this new direction, AgriWrap can find an area that needs to be positively impacted in order to work towards the ultimate goal of reducing plastic waste. From our market research surveying small food vendors in the next few days we will also find more direction for our remaining time in the Philippines.

As our departure from the Philippines draws near, our focus in these final days centers around engaging with industry players involved in sourcing food waste for various applications. This entails meetings with companies, farmers, and organizations aligned with our mission. Our objectives encompass forming partnerships with those who can aid us in securing vital resources for our supply chain and the development of alternative bio-plastic manufacturing. In our exploration of enterprises utilizing food waste as a foundational resource, we were introduced to Coco Pallet, a company that converts coconut husks into shipping pallets. Our connection, Stephen Co from WTH Foods, shared the contact details of Kiel Flores, Coco Pallet's Chief Commercial Officer for Asia. Engaging with Kiel, we delved into the specific challenges that Coco Pallet encountered. These challenges centered on entering the market as a new material, procuring coconut waste, and refining the machinery and processes required for their innovative product. Through our discourse, we received insights into Coco Pallet's collaboration with large coconut manufacturers, streamlining the collection of husks by processing whole coconuts at their facilities. This operational strategy holds promise for us, as we endeavor to ensure a consistent supply and enhance transportation efficiency within our own process. Additionally, Kiel provided us with documents and contacts to further our understanding of waste sourcing and the strategic direction of our venture. Beyond this, we had the privilege of meeting with three local farmers—John, Nate, and Felix—in southern Manila. Their perspectives reflected the realities of rural Philippine farming, waste management practices, and composting techniques. Furthermore, they shared knowledge concerning crop waste transportation and how we can seamlessly integrate these practices into our workflow. Their insights extended to ongoing research in repurposing crop waste, along with identifying crops that generate substantial waste. These farmers also facilitated a connection with a biomass plant keen on further discussions with our team. Estefania, Nate, John, Felix, Cayla and Max (left to right) Our engagement extended to Julia Lapitan and her team at the Bureau of Agricultural Research. Their role in funding research initiatives aimed at repurposing crops and promoting local products provided us with valuable insights. While their current mandate is centered on project oversight and funding, not direct implementation, their input proved invaluable. Conversations with their corn specialist unveiled the potential of corn waste in our product. They were enthusiastic, as our project closely aligned with their annual priorities. Meeting with the Bureau of Agricultural Research Our interactions further encompassed meetings with Ms. Jade Herrera and Ms. Amy Chua of PPSA and GrowAsia. PPSA's collaborative efforts with farmer groups and cooperatives to pool knowledge and resources for enhanced crop sales efficiency caught our attention. A noteworthy insight shared by them pertained to carbon credits. They highlighted the possibility of certification for individuals selling waste to us, enabling them to gain additional income and tax incentives—a concept that holds considerable promise for incentivizing farmers and millers to collaborate with us in waste supply. As we prepare to embark on the next chapter of our venture, we are excited by the connections we've fostered and the insights we've gained during our fieldwork in the Philippines. The plethora of encounters with sustainable industry pioneers, farmers, and organizations has enriched our understanding and amplified our resolve. Together, we stand at the precipice of transformative change—where food waste becomes a valuable resource, partnerships flourish, and sustainability takes root. With gratitude and anticipation, we step forward, guided by the lessons learned and the promises of a greener future.

For the success of our venture, mapping our waste management and identifying waste streams is integral to the development of our materials and the tests we choose to run. With that in mind, we focused a lot of time in the past few days visiting local waste departments in the government, research institutions, and waste management initiatives. We visited the Quezon City Department of Sanitation and Cleanup Works (DSCW) to meet with Mr. Richard Santuille, the officer-in-charge, Mr. Marvin Lawrence Bagan, and Ms. Mikaela Bonilla. DSCW is responsible for waste collection and enforcing waste segregation into recyclables, biodegradables, and non-biodegradables. This meeting offered us a deeper understanding of waste streams, which will help shape the design of a product that seamlessly biodegrades within these waste streams. Meeting with Quezon City DSCW The Market Development and Administration Department invited our team to see their biodigester / composting machine at the Kamuning Public Market. When we visited, we saw a large pile of food waste, the biodigester, and the soil-conditioner output. The staff we spoke with, Ed and Raquel, said they had never tried to put bioplastics through the machine as they separate all the plastic, or plastic-looking, items before going into the machine. As Quezon City is planning to add 9 more biodigesters to the rest of the public markets, market waste is not the best avenue to source waste for our raw material. This visit also showed us that implementing our product in a market may not be the best as our product would probably be incorrectly segregated as plastic and go to a landfill. Kamuning Public Market's food waste is collected in a pile on the ground in front of their biodigester. Additionally, we received a tour of the UP Diliman Environment Management Office (DEMO) and their grounds. At DEMO, biodegradable food waste from households and restaurants on campus is collected and composted using traditional composting methods. Furthermore, DEMO is currently experimenting to compost biodegradable bagasse food containers used on campus. We look forward to the results of this experiment as it will guide us in ensuring that our product composts effectively through both traditional methods and vermicomposting. We plan to stay in contact with DEMO to learn from their experiences and gain valuable insights. DEMO's experimental bagasse composting with their garden in the back. In order to better understand what streams of waste are available, we went to talk to agricultural experts to get another perspective on what opportunities they saw with a project like ours. Fortunately, we had the opportunity to visit the University of Philippines Los Baños which has a focus on agricultural research. After presenting AgriWrap and explicitly mentioning the specific challenges we are facing, we received feedback from experts with various agricultural backgrounds. They brought up the fact that agricultural goods need packaging, and a lot of produce is wasted as it travels throughout the Philippines. Many researchers at UP Los Baños are working on coatings that would extend the shelf life of produce, which could easily be combined with biodegradable packaging materials. Creating a product that has functionality like this would be beneficial to compete against much cheaper plastics. Also, the experts at Los Baños gave us insight into waste streams, and which types of agricultural waste are least utilized. Matt O. and Max B. at UP Los Baños With the end of fieldwork soon approaching, we aim to pack in as much as we can for the last couple of days.

After completing our first week of fieldwork in Manila, we took some time to reflect on the lessons we've learned, assess remaining questions, and make decisions to guide our future direction. We organized our questions and evaluated the information gathered to optimize our final week in the city. From the outset of our trip, our primary focus has been on understanding agricultural waste, the current packaging market, and eco-friendly packaging manufacturing processes. However, much of what we thought we knew has been challenged, leading us to reevaluate our primary assumptions. Initially, we centered our attention on corn and its waste, assuming that coconut, pineapple, and rice waste were being efficiently utilized due to ongoing research on these crops. However, upon arriving here, we discovered that while there is significant research, there is limited action taken to capitalize on these waste streams. This realization opens up the opportunity for us to consider other agricultural crops as potential inputs. Another key assumption we made was that farmers would readily sell their agricultural waste. Yet, after conducting interviews with several farmers at markets, we found that they are not as willing to part with their waste as we initially thought. The farmers we spoke with already had uses for most of their waste, thus making them unwilling to sell it. Furthermore, conversations with companies that repurpose agricultural waste led us to reevaluate our waste acquisition method. Prior to fieldwork, our plan focused on sourcing by-products of corn farming directly from farms. However, after meeting with companies already working on biodegradable products, we realized that integrating ourselves within existing major companies' infrastructure would be more viable. This understanding shifted our focus from sourcing materials directly from farmers to collaborating with milling companies and farming co-ops that already receive raw materials from a broader network of farms. By leveraging the established relationships these organizations have with farmers, we can streamline our process, reduce the required infrastructure, and increase the volume of waste we can collect, thus producing a larger quantity of our product. Our original idea was to produce a cardboard-like material for takeout boxes. However, we have decided to pivot our approach based on what we've learned about Oikos' techniques and the research completed during our time in Manila. Our new goal is to develop a bioplastic pellet from raw agricultural waste, which will serve as the starting material for plastic alternatives. Companies can then purchase these pellets and convert them into various products, such as plastic bags. This strategy allows us to leverage their existing customer base and ensure project success, regardless of the team involved. Implementing these process changes will eliminate potential complications and significantly reduce our venture’s overhead costs. Although our fieldwork has deepened our knowledge, it has also uncovered new questions we hadn't considered before. Primarily, we plan to meet with millers and industrial-sized farms to determine if they are both viable waste sources and willing to provide or sell waste to us. Additionally, we are interested in understanding waste management practices in these farms and mills to pinpoint the most significant waste stream. We hope to find answers to our sourcing questions to aid in our lab work developing a pellet. As we continue designing a lab procedure for pellet manufacturing, visiting packaging facilities in Manila will provide insights into their machinery, processes, and budget for creating the material. With our first week completed, we acknowledge the learning done and challenges faced, ready for the coming days of hardship and success. Photo of the team exploring Metro Manila: Cayla B., Matt O., Sophia M., Max B., Estefania R. (left to right)

During our search for information and knowledge, members of our team had busy days in Quezon City, Pasig City and Makati City. The team had a series of insightful meetings and visits that provided valuable insights on sustainable initiatives, academic research and bioplastic manufacturing in the Philippines. Through our relationship with Professor Jill Manapat at The University of the Philippines, Diliman campus, we were introduced to some professors in the Mining, Metallurgical, and Material Engineering Department, along with their research. First, we met with the chair of the department, Professor Mitch-Irene Kate Oyales. The department's strong emphasis on sustainable extraction, mining practices, and eco-materials, including sustainable packaging products, left a positive impression on the team. We were also treated to informative tours of the four labs in the department: the Material Characterization Lab, Composites Lab, Mechanical Testing Lab, and Rubber Processing Lab. Following our time with Professor Mitch-Irene, we were introducted to Professor Tiffany Louise Lao who is currently working on bioplastics research at the university. Professor Tiffany's focus on blending different starches and gums from agro waste to create biopolymers aligned perfectly with the team's research objectives. The potential partnership with UP Diliman and UP Los Baños in utilizing agricultural waste streams offered exciting prospects for their bioplastic development. Sample of bio-plastic film created at UP Diliman Afterwards, we had a meeting with Faith Nacarato, co-founder of Oikos Sustainable Solutions. She provided valuable insights into the world of bioplastic manufacturing in the Philippines. The two types of bioplastic bags Oikos produces, made from cassava starch and cornstarch, boast several biodegradability and compostability certifications. While facing challenges in production and sourcing, Oikos' pioneering efforts in bioplastics align with the team's goals. The impact of legislative measures, such as the producer's responsibility act, on promoting sustainable practices was also an eye-opener. Photographs of products from oikosph.com Additionally, the team had a meeting with Vincent Mendoza, the founder of Farmvocacy. Farmvocacy's fintech platform focuses on increasing farmers' income by employing an inclusive business model and promoting eco-friendly, high-yielding rice farming. Although Farmvocacy doesn't currently process rice husks, Vincent recognized the potential for collaboration in obtaining waste materials for our initiative. Additionally, while meeting with Vincent, the team was introduced to JT Solis, the co-founder and CEO of Mayani. Mayani works to enable rural farmers access to the mainstream marketplace. We hope to continue to have conversations with both Vincent and JT about ways we can collaborate to ensure the most impact. Vincent Mendoza, Zach Ostrand, Cayla Brint, Sophia Mihalek and Jon Osika (left to right) While focusing on innovation and research, we were simultaneously looking for an understanding into the governments role in waste management and plastic initiatives. Members of our team visited the Quezon City Department of Climate Change and Environmental Sustainability, where they met Ms. Lea Gaon. She shared helpful information about the city's ongoing sustainability initiatives, notably the successful plastic bag ban, which is a significant step towards reducing plastic waste. At Quezon City Hall, our team had the privilege of meeting Ian Agatep and Emmanuel Velazquez from the Sustainable Development Affairs Unit. Their discussion shed light on the city's dedication to sustainable waste management, exemplified by the organization of urban farms that return farm waste to the soil through composting. Additionally, they learned more about Quezon City's comprehensive sanitation efforts, supported by a description of their waste collection system. Lastly, we visited the Metro Manila Development Association (MMDA) building in Pasig city to learn more about waste management from the Department of Sanitation. They provided us with useful information about waste segregation and composting in Manila. This information will guide us in developing a product that decomposes in the current composting system. Overall, the team's time in Quezon City and Makati was highly informative, and the meetings with various stakeholders provided a wealth of knowledge and insights. Especially, the team’s members were able to gain a greater understanding of the bioplastic industry and the current research on it. This will help them fine tune their process at the lab and pivot in their procedure. Armed with this newfound understanding, they are well-equipped to continue their research and work towards the creation of a successful bioplastic product.

Ready to get meetings set and interviews in action, the team had a productive morning, building on existing contacts and establishing new ones through Professor Erwin Lizarondo's assistance. New contacts included farm organizations and incubators offering valuable insights into current farming and agricultural waste practices. Following up with previous contacts proved successful right away as Cayla and Estefania discussed packaging pricing and characteristics with Stephen from WTH Foods. They explored sustainability culture and challenges in marketing consciously-sourced plant-based products. In another meeting, they connected with Jun at BEECALL, a Filipino incubator, to learn about available startup resources like funding, mentorship, and partnerships. Additionally, Matt and Max spoke with Dr. Elmer Soriano, a friend of Professors Mehta and Lizarondo, who generously provided contact information for The Bamboo Impact Lab, a project focused on converting bamboo leaves into products. To further their investigation of the current packaging market, Max, Sophia, and Matt visited a major packaging distributor, gathering information on eco-friendly and non-eco-friendly manufacturers. They noted brands and prices for the products, getting us information about the difference in eco-friendly and plastic pricing. The team also visited Mega Q Mart and Balintawak Market, two of the major markets in the area. The goals of visiting markets were to further assess the packaging used and to speak to farmers regarding their current waste practices. On the consumer packaging side, they found that a couple of companies seemed to dominate the market and that many stalls offered a small amount of eco-friendly packaging. The eco-friendly packaging was consistently more expensive and less popular than their plastic counterparts. Confusingly, they saw polystyrene (styrofoam) packaging being marketed as eco-friendly and sustainable, demonstrating that information regarding sustainability may be less widespread than they thought. At the markets, the team also talked to farmers about waste generation on their farms. Many of the farmers said that their waste was used as a fertilizer for the rest of their crops, or in the case of bananas, their trunks were used to construct crates to move produce. As the Mega Q market was closing down, the team noticed that lots of the spoiled or leftover produce was put into bags to be thrown away. The team inquired where the waste was going to but could not get a solid response. This leaves questions about the current organic waste management system and opens the door for this waste to be an input stream for packaging material if it was correctly sorted. At Balintawak Market, the team noticed that most of the corn was solid wholesale with the husk on, which leads to more questions about whether corn husks would be best sourced at the farms or at a different location like these markets. Balintawak market To get a different perspective on agriculture, Max and Matt visited several Department of Agriculture buildings, those being the Bureau of Soils and Water Management, the Bureau of Agricultural Research, and the Department of Agriculture Secretary building. The Bureau of Soils and Water Management had useful information on composting, but their meeting there was brief. The Bureau of Agricultural Research provided contacts to other departments, but they stated that their bureau was mostly for funding, and they did no research in-house. The funding they give out could not go to a United States team, but they commonly fund students from UP Diliman, which could be a money source through our partnership with UPD. The last stop in the Department of Agriculture sector was the Fiber Processing and Utilization Lab, which was recommended by the Department of Agriculture Secretary building. This lab has worked for years with the fibers of many types of plants commonly grown in the Philippines and has converted many of the fibers into paper. This lab greeted us warmly and was extremely knowledgeable in terms of procedural advice and expertise. Since the team is considering creating a cardboard-like material, the experts at the lab had advice about a process similar to one that the team is working to develop. The lab was kind enough to share a procedure with us on how to make paper out of many types of natural fibers, including corn husk and banana stalk. This procedure is a huge benefit as we no longer have to develop our own entire procedure; rather, we can edit a trusted one that has proven results. The experts highly recommended banana stalks because of the long, strong fibers and even gave us a demonstration of a decorticating machine on a fresh banana stalk, but this uncovered the fact that only 1% of the stalk is useful fiber. The experts also warned against using corn husk, stating that it was prone to warping and requires more effort, but the papermaking process that they have the most expertise in is different enough from developing a cardboard-like material that it certainly doesn't rule out husks as a usable resource. All of this information will be critical in our product development, though it leads to more questions regarding the agricultural input we should choose. From left to right: Fiber Processing and Utilization Laboratory, Cellulose formed during the paper making process, and the decorticating machine As we move forward, we will continue the approach of learning from a top-down and bottom-up approach simultaneously as they each give their own perspectives that are both crucial for designing a product that is successful in the long term. The trips and calls certainly helped us learn that connecting with organizations that are working in tangential fields can offer more opportunities to learn the ecosystem that our solution will have to thrive in.

In pursuit of understanding sustainable practices and fostering meaningful connections, our team embarked on an eye-opening expedition through Makati, Philippines. This adventure took us from Tejeros Wet & Dry Market to an invitation to attend a farm trip to Echofarms in Amadeo, Cavite. Along the way, we met inspiring individuals, learned about innovative initiatives, and identified potential opportunities for collaboration. In this blog post, we will share our key learnings and celebrate the achievements made during our journey. The team gained valuable information about waste management and suppliers in the market, as well as insight into the plastic and packaging regulations of the area. Our exploration began at Tejeros Wet & Dry Market, a bustling hub of trade and commerce. With an understanding of the challenges we would face due to the language barrier, we set out to find someone willing and able to translate for us. It did not take long to find our newfound friend and invaluable guide, Adonis Consul. With his assistance as our translator, we delved into the market's intricacies. During our time at Tejeros Market, we gained valuable insights into waste management practices and the market's supply chain. The barangay's significant role in waste collection and composting, where food waste is returned to farmers, left us intrigued about its potential for sustainable practices. We also discovered the existence of the Diversario market, a vital link between vendors and farmers, sparking our curiosity about its impact on the local supply chain. As we delved deeper, we encountered questions about the fate of unsold food and various vendors' approaches to handling leftovers. We realized that addressing food waste could be a potential area for sustainable solutions. One significant discovery was the market's waste management process. One vendor informed us that the barangay, the local government, collects pre-segregated trash from the market. The vendor made it seem as though some food waste returned to farmers, closing the loop in a sustainable manner; however, we realized the need for further information on this process. To answer our questions, we journeyed to the local barangay office. Unfortunately for us, we arrived during their lunch, forcing us to leave questions unanswered. Next on our journey was Simula Store, a pop-up sustainable store nestled in Glorietta 2, Ayala Malls. We carefully documented the eco-friendly products and associated brands, hoping to explore potential partnerships with these local businesses in the future. Photograph of products for sale at Simula With foresight into our scheduled meeting with Pacita Juan, the esteemed co-founder of Echostore, we ventured towards one of their compact yet distinct storefronts. A sense of uniqueness surrounded the establishment, piquing our curiosity about the company's inner workings. Upon arriving at Commune Cafe, where our meeting with Pacita awaited, we were captivated by her compelling narrative. As she unveiled the history and trajectory of Echostore, it became evident that this enterprise transcended mere commercial pursuits. Instead, it stood as an empowering platform for small farms and local women entrepreneurs. Resonating with Pacita's commitment to community-oriented endeavors, we marveled at Echostore's journey from humble origins to the grand scale of its national influence. Through Echostore, Pacita and her co-founders have been able to provide women with the skill set to effectively brand and market their products. Moreover, the very cafe we convened in bore witness to Pacita's influence, as its proprietor was none other than her niece. In a harmonious collaboration, the cafe acts as the central roaster for the beans grown by Echostore’s farm. Pacita expressed an open-minded willingness to act as a key player in our venture, evoking a profound sense of excitement for prospective collaboration. To our delight, Pacita extended a gracious invitation for a sojourn to Echofarms in Amadeo, Cavite. The detailed itinerary promised a comprehensive experience, from farm to cup, and an opportunity to witness their waste management practices firsthand. Estefania R., Cayla B., Sean V., Pacita J. (right to left) sitting at Commune Cafe Estefania R., Pacita J., Cayla B. (left to right) in front of Echo Store locally sourced coffee Following a productive day of research, some of our team members attended the QBO Startup Networking Event. Here, we had the privilege of engaging with entrepreneurs and VCs from the Philippines, including Ari Luis Halos, who shared valuable insights about SIDC CO-OP, a farmers' co-op with potential alignments to our cause. Additionally, we learned about the "open program" at UP, which could offer exciting collaboration possibilities. Panelists at QBO event Estefania R. and Cayla B. at the QBO Qlitan event As we wrap up our journey through Makati's markets and sustainable initiatives, we feel enriched by the knowledge we've gained and the inspiring individuals we've encountered. The potential for collaboration with Pacita Juan's Echostore and the connections made at the QBO event invigorate our commitment to creating a positive impact. As we look ahead, we acknowledge the need for further exploration and information gathering on specific aspects. By working together, we can amplify our achievements, expand our knowledge, and forge a path toward a greener and more sustainable future. Join us on this transformative journey of sustainability and empowerment. Share your insights, ideas, and clarifications as we endeavor to make a difference together.

Upon arrival in Manila, the team took the necessary time to adjust to the new time zone and settle into their accommodation for the next two weeks. Recognizing the importance of being well-rested and prepared for the upcoming meetings and learning sessions, the team ensured everyone had ample time to relax and have breakfast before venturing out to explore a local grocery store. Walking through the aisles, it stood out that almost everything sold in the market had something in common: they were wrapped in a film of plastic. As the team develops the product, it will be designed to be single-use to adapt to the single-use culture already in place. Single-use packaging will be familiar to their target audience, allowing consumers to use sustainable packaging without consciously switching the products they normally buy. To ensure success, it is important to consider local cultures and preferences when developing solutions for global challenges. Photograph of produce wrapped in plastic packaging in a local supermarket Lehigh University’s Global Social Impact Fellowship (GSIF) is working together with the Humanitarian Engineering, Entrepreneurship and Design (HEED) Program at the University of the Philippines Diliman. This collaboration provides the Lehigh teams with additional expertise, insight into Filipino culture, and a connection to the local community. This partnership is due to the hard work and friendship of Lehigh’s Professor Khanjan Mehta and UPD’s Professor Jill Manapat. The Lehigh team began working on Agri Wrap at the start of their spring semester in February and was soon introduced to a collaborating team of HEED students. The HEED team includes Professor Jill Manapat and students Angel Gumangan, Hans Reyes, Khim Gabuco, Joanne Rafael, and Jillian Isidro. During the semester, the HEED team provided information to the Lehigh team about the sustainability culture in the Philippines, provided contacts of farms around Manila, and other valuable information not otherwise available to the Lehigh team. Once in Manila, the Lehigh team met with Professor Jill Manapat, Angel, and Joanne over lunch, as well as the HEED students collaborating with the other ventures. Unfortunately, at this time, the team was not able to meet with Hans, Khim, or Jillian, but we hope to meet them at a later date. Together, the team discussed the most recent plans they had made for fieldwork and revised them to incorporate more farm visits and local connections. On top of celebrating the first in-person meeting of members of our team, we also celebrated the birthday of one of our team members, Matt O'Connell. Matt O. with his birthday cake Sophia M., Estefania R., Max B., Cayla B., Matt O., Joanne R., and Angel G. at lunch In addition, the team was introduced to Professor Erwin Lizarando, a colleague and friend of both Professor Mehta and Professor Manapat. Professor Lizarando provided the team with valuable contacts of organizations he is connected with that will further our venture, including organizations working with farmers and sustainable organizations. The team looks forward to getting in contact with them and are excited about the potential those relationships could have. Afterward, the team traveled to the main campus of UP Diliman for a short tour from the HEED students and Professor Manapat. The tour culminated in the Mining Engineering building, as Professor Manapat is a part of the Department of Mining, Metallurgical, and Materials Engineering. After the tour, the team worked together and continued to schedule the next two weeks by setting goals and expanding the potential partners' list. To ensure completion of the team’s goals, clear actionable items were created and assigned to each team member. The team at UPD (Left to right: Max B., Matt O., Estefania R., Sophia M., Cayla B., Angel G., Joanne R., Professor Jill M.) In the evening, the team met with Professor Khanjan Mehta and Professor Sean Vassilaros to review their upcoming fieldwork plans. The professors provided valuable feedback, guiding the team on where to focus their efforts and what aspects to address later in the project timeline. Armed with this constructive advice, the team's primary focus was to promptly reach out to stakeholders such as manufacturers and farm associations to arrange Zoom meetings, visits, and calls throughout the week. The team looks forward to making the most of their time in Manila and collaborating with local partners to drive their sustainable packaging project forward. They remain committed to creating a positive impact on the environment while considering the needs and preferences of their target audience.

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