Designed to Decay Wrapped to Last

“Wrapped to Last, Designed to Decay” is a speculative design investigation focused on the environmental impact of single-use plastic packaging for fresh food. The project challenges conventional ideas of disposability and durability by reimagining food packaging as something temporary yet meaningful. Through human-centered research and material exploration, it proposes an alternative: ephemeral, compostable packaging made from organic materials designed to serve their purpose and then safely return to the earth. The work asks how we can create sustainable experiences that reduce waste without compromising function or care.

This research followed a layered, place-based approach, drawing from local insights and resources to propose context-specific solutions. It began with understanding the consumer journey—how people shop for and use fresh food—and identifying key moments where packaging waste accumulates. From there, the project took on the lens of a material designer, testing biodegradable materials as alternatives to plastic. It also explored behavioral shifts in how consumers might access fresh food differently, including alternatives to grocery store systems. The result is a proposal that blends material innovation with a rethinking of consumption habits—rooted in local context, everyday behaviors, and the power of design to shift both.