Design for Social Impact:
Rethinking environmental folklore
I was inspired by Leyla Acaroglu's TED Talk named 'Paper Beats Plastic? How to Rethink Environmental Folklore', where she explains how people often make choices based on myths about environmentally friendly practices rather than scientific facts, leading to ineffective measures. This motivated me to create a project aimed at rethinking environmental folklore, a term used to describe these widespread environmental misconceptions, with the primary goal of reducing waste of all kinds and dispelling green myths.
While many people are now aware of the harmful effects of plastic usage, they often do not exhibit the same level of caution with other materials or food, demonstrating another facet of environmental folklore that needs addressing.
The objective is to strategically place these posters and stickers next to supermarkets, serving as reminders for people to avoid overbuying and wasting food and promoting more mindful consumption. The production of the promotional materials should prioritize environmental friendliness, utilizing sustainable materials such as recycled paper or biodegradable options. These decisions are made after consulting with a sustainability strategist to ensure the most eco-friendly choices are implemented.
The promotional materials feature QR codes that lead to an Instagram page offering insights and tips on making better environmental decisions.
Through this mind map that I made, I was able to gain a comprehensive understanding of the complex issues surrounding plastic usage, weighing its benefits against its drawbacks before working on my designs.