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Name of the submitted project or idea (in English or both English and your language)
Forget-Bag
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URL of a video introducing the work(under 5 minutes)
https://youtu.be/zIowVkngfww
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Detailed explanation of the submitted project or idea (in English or both English and your language)
Plastic bags generally lack recycling value, so in most countries, including Taiwan, they are treated as waste and sent to incineration, releasing large amounts of CO₂ and harming the environment.
A Plastic Project aims to recycle these “plastic bag wastes” using specialized technology, turning them into reusable plastic materials for new bag production. Through innovative design and bag-making techniques, we transform these recycled materials into practical shopping bags—the “Forget-Bag”—reducing pollution and resource waste from plastic incineration.
With a design inspired by Taiwan’s traditional red-and-white market bags, the “Forget-Bag” is uniquely Taiwanese, making it a favorite for everyday use! By using each bag 100 times, you reduce the need for 99 single-use plastic bags.
We’ve redesigned the traditional plastic bag structure, extending the handles into a shoulder strap, creating a durable, reusable shopping bag. The lightweight plastic material makes it easy to fold the “Forget-Bag” down to a compact size with a Velcro closure for easy storage and portability.
This year, we’ve also added recycled ocean waste, including discarded fishing nets, to the production materials. By combining these with plastic bag waste, we aim to reduce the harm that abandoned fishing nets pose to marine life.
On top of that, we’ve incorporated coffee grounds into the recycled fishing net material, neutralizing any plastic odors and adding a pleasant coffee scent. This transformation turns waste destined for incineration into a bag that’s visually appealing (Taiwanese-inspired design), aromatic (coffee scent), and highly functional—the “Forget-Bag”! -
How does your work address the 3 P’s (for Planet, for People, for Profit) for Sustainability?
Planet: The “Forget-Bag” is crafted from 100% recycled plastic, including repurposed plastic bags and discarded fishing nets, directly reducing the amount of plastic waste sent to landfills and incinerators. By avoiding single-use plastic and encouraging reuse, the“Forget-Bag” significantly minimizes environmental pollution and the CO₂ emissions associated with incineration.
People: This bag offers consumers a practical and stylish solution to waste reduction, promoting sustainable habits in daily life. The design is inspired by local culture, appealing to a sense of pride and identity, making sustainable choices more accessible and enjoyable. Additionally, incorporating coffee grounds into the recycled material adds an extra layer of appeal with its pleasant aroma.
Profit: The “Forget-Bag” presents a sustainable business model by generating revenue through eco-conscious products that are in demand as more people prioritize sustainability. This model not only supports ongoing plastic recycling efforts but also contributes to long-term profitability by catering to the growing eco-friendly market. -
Keywords
#Sustainable #Recycled Materials #Eco-Friendly Design
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If you have a website for your submitted project or idea, please provide the URL
https://www.a-p-p.tw/pages/fbag
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If you have a social media account for your submitted project or idea, please provide the URL
https://www.facebook.com/aplasticproject
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Special Prize Question 1: "Empowering nature to create a new loop”: How does your work strengthen or support nature’s ability to capture and convert waste into valuable resources? How does your work advance industry practices by introducing nature-positive alternatives?
Converting Waste into Resources: By repurposing plastic bags and fishing nets that would otherwise pollute landfills and oceans, the “Forget-Bag” minimizes environmental harm and reintroduces waste materials as functional, everyday items. This reduces the demand for virgin plastic production, preserving natural resources and lowering the carbon footprint of production.
Supporting Circularity and Recycling Innovation: The design exemplifies a closed-loop process where end-of-life plastic items are reimagined and reintegrated into the consumer cycle. This approach provides an alternative to the traditional linear production and disposal model, encouraging the industry to adopt similar circular practices and use innovative recycled materials.
Promoting Nature-Positive, Low-Impact Production: By embedding sustainable design, the “Forget-Bag” encourages a shift toward production methods that work with, rather than against, natural cycles. The project pioneers low-waste and reusable product design with cultural appeal, inspiring consumers and the industry alike to prioritize nature-friendly materials and processes. This ultimately promotes a more regenerative economy that supports and enriches natural ecosystems rather than depleting them. -
Special Prize Question 2: “Regenerating ecosystems”: In what inspiring ways does your work contribute to the restoration and stabilization of natural ecosystems?
The “Forget-Bag” contributes to regenerating and stabilizing natural ecosystems through several impactful and inspiring practices:
Reducing Ocean Plastic Pollution: By recycling discarded fishing nets—often harmful to marine life—the project removes a significant threat from oceans. These abandoned “ghost nets” are notorious for ensnaring marine animals and damaging coral reefs. Transforming them into reusable bags prevents this damage, restoring ocean health and creating a safer habitat for marine species.
Minimizing Landfill and Incineration Waste: Plastic bags typically end up in landfills or are incinerated, contributing to soil contamination, greenhouse gas emissions, and air pollution. By turning this waste into a durable, long-lasting product, the project prevents such environmental degradation, helping to stabilize ecosystems on land and in the atmosphere.
Inspiring a Shift to Circular Economy Practices: The “Forget-Bag” serves as a model for upcycling and circular economy practices within consumer goods, showing how waste can become a valuable resource. This approach encourages industry-wide shifts that prioritize regenerative, low-impact production, helping restore ecosystems by reducing extraction and pollution. -
Special Prize Question 3: “Education and storytelling”: How does your work make complex bioeconomy concepts accessible and engaging?
The “Forget-Bag” brings bioeconomy concepts to life by weaving education and storytelling into its design, purpose, and use:
Connecting Design to Local Culture: Inspired by traditional Taiwanese red-and-white market bags, the “Forget-Bag” creates an immediate cultural connection, engaging consumers with an item that resonates on a personal level. This familiar design serves as a bridge to introduce complex ideas—like the bioeconomy and resource reuse—in a way that feels relevant and approachable.
Simplifying the Circular Economy through Everyday Use: The bag’s functionality and longevity—designed for repeated use—highlight the principle of circularity by making it tangible. Each use is a reminder that plastic waste can have a second life, directly involving users in sustainable practices and helping them understand how recycled materials fit into the bioeconomy framework.
Telling a Story of Transformation: By clearly communicating the bag’s origins (from waste materials such as fishing nets and plastic bags) and its environmental impact, the project creates a narrative of transformation. The story of how waste materials are recycled and reintegrated into everyday life conveys a powerful, inspiring message, making bioeconomy concepts like regeneration and waste-to-resource conversion accessible to all ages.
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Forget-Bag
We all have plenty of shopping bags at home, but we often forget to bring them when we go shopping, ending up buying a single-use plastic bag from the store, which increases plastic consumption and waste. The “Forget-Bag” is named to remind you not to forget it when you go out, so you’ll remember to keep it with you and use it regularly, helping reduce plastic bag waste.