The RSA Project
After looking through the various RSA student design awards briefs, I was drawn to the above project. Being someone who tries to economise and minimalise waste as much as possible, this project is one which I know I will find interesting and I can really use my imagination with.
I am particularly interested in domestic waste and how much packaging and food we as a country throw away. The amount of waste we produce is having a negative effect on our environment as we all know. Quick and easy microwave meals are not only unhealthy, but also come in portion sized plastic packaging, which will probably end up in a landfill or in some whale's stomach. Additionally convenience meals are a lot less value for money as many people think, as the portion sizes are usually small and are made out of poor quality ingredients (especially the value range). I want to create a system, which helps people cut costs and waste, eat better quality foods and still have convenient meals that they can stick in the microwave for a few minutes when they get in from work.
The idea I have is to first of all create a strong "eco" brand, which effectively represents the "waste not, want not" philosophy.
The second thing I want to do is look at implementing the brand into various systems and products. One of the key elements of this is an iPhone app, which allows a user to scan the bar code of an item, using the iPhone's built in camera and they will then be able to view information on not only meal ideas but ways of storing the food effectively and using any left overs that they may have left from cooking.
The app will be linked to the second media platform, which is a community-based website, where users can give each other tips and ideas on how to cut costs and waste, as well as tools to help economise further.
Once the brand is well established, there would be future implementations such as a cookbook full of tasty, low cost and economically practical meals, which can all be made in bulk and frozen into portions.
