Nutriloop: Enabling a Circular Food System
Problem
In the USA 30%-40% of food is wasted each year. So how can we personally contribute to solving this problem? That is what Nutriloop sets out to investigate. The kitchen space hasn’t significantly shifted since the 1940s leaving a large gap in current needs. How can a lifestyle shift in the kitchen space assist with an increase in composting?
Process
Iteration and research were required in order to produce the final product. Sketching was performed in order to understand the way that this product could fit into a larger system. Truely environmentally friendly products understand the full system of the product rather than simply the isolated process. Many cardboard models were created for an understanding of shape, user interaction, scale, and feasibility. Different kitchen users were observed in order to understand the flow of the average user through the kitchen, common motions used in kitchen prep work, and what a user sees as simple. User interviews were also conducted for confirmation and challenging of observations.
System
The design was created based on research of common compost methods as well as market research to understand what is already being done. The container makes use of grinding, aeration, and charcoal filters. The compost enters the product, and falls into the grinding area. Grinding speeds up the process of food break down. When the food is small enough to fall through a mesh it moves into the container below. Aeration is used in the core of each container in order to circulate air from all sides of the compost for optimal conditions for decomposition. Charcoal filters are commonly used in indoor compost containers in order to reduce the smell of the compost.
