Ying Wang — a graduate of the Central Saint Martins College in London, England, constructs an installation that offers biodegradable alternatives to plastic. The project's backbone is the traditional tea ritual. Utilizing an intricate technique, Ying Wang stirs milk and vinegar into a bowl and then filters out the excess liquid. The leftover casein — a protein found in milk, is treated with acid to create a solid mass that has the potential to offer biodegradable alternatives to plastic.
The installation is cleverly dubbed 'Milk Ceremony.' The main purpose behind Ying Wang's project is to demonstrate how design thinking can provide solutions for pressing problems, as well as demonstrate ways to create eco-friendly alternatives to plastic — a material that is "widely considered one of the world's biggest environmental issues."
Key Themes Behind This Trend
- Biodegradable Materials
- This trend highlights the growing demand for eco-friendly alternatives to plastic and presents opportunities for developing biodegradable materials.
- Design Thinking
- Design thinking is emerging as a disruptive innovation opportunity to find creative and sustainable solutions to pressing environmental issues like plastic pollution.
- Circular Economy
- The installation aligns with the circular economy trend by showcasing the potential for transforming waste materials, like milk protein, into valuable resources.
Where This Applies
- Packaging Industry
- The packaging industry can benefit from exploring the use of biodegradable materials to create eco-friendly packaging solutions and reduce plastic waste.
- Design Industry
- Design professionals can leverage design thinking to develop innovative and sustainable solutions addressing environmental challenges, such as creating alternatives to plastic.
- Sustainable Materials Industry
- The sustainable materials industry can capitalize on the growing demand for biodegradable materials by developing and manufacturing products that offer eco-friendly alternatives to plastic.
