Si-Shell
Crafting sustainable packaging from Sisal
Year
2018
University
Srishti Institute of Art, Design and Technology
Project Type
Thesis project, Bachelors
Si- Shell is a new sustainable material developed during this project. It guides Sisal plant from a dead handicraft sector to a more lucrative future, while causing an environmental impact through the packaging sector. The material created requires minimal processing, enables local mass production in indigenous settings, and yields desirable forms.
The packaging is designed to have a circular lifecycle wherein I have developed the production distribution and usage system to make the end product environmentally sustainable, cost-effective, and accessible to all.
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*This project was a part of Learning Network for Sustainability (LeNS) and was exhibited at 'LeNS world conference, 2019' in Bengaluru (India).
OPPORTUNITY AREA
The starting point
Sisal is a fibrous plant, a sustainable raw material that has a lot of unexplored potential. Its traditional use in the handicraft sector is dying, resulting in lower rural employment by indigenous entrepreneurs and farmers.
How can we use this plant and expand its potential by inculcating it in our daily lives to cause a positive environmental impact and generate rural employment?
CONTEXT
What is Sisal?
Sisal (Agave Sisalana) is a locally found plant in arid regions across India. It is hardy and grows in the wild; no requirement of water, fertiliser or pesticide.
01
Locally available in abundance, commonly also grown as a fence for farms.
02
Sustainable; low maintenance and prevents soil erosion
03
Extracted fibres are long, strong and can be dyed easily
MATERIAL EXPLORATION
Understanding the material; possibilities and limitations
The exploration was divided into 3 parts
01
Fibre treatments: experimenting with differet ingredients for scouring the fibre; removing lignin to make them softer, cleaner and easier to use.
02
Experimenting with several natural glues and food binders to make surfaces out of the fibre.
03
Research on the composition of the leaf and exploration to form surfaces with or without adding binders.
PACKAGING CONCEPT
Si-Shell Packaging in use
The packaging is designed to be reused by the consumer after purchase as an accessory to the product, hence extending its life.
SI-SHELL BENEFITS
Why should you use Si-Shell?
PAMPHLET DESIGN
Convincing industries to use Si-Shell
The pamphlet is designed to reach out and convince different businesses to use Si-shell packaging. It consists of Si-Shell's benefits, application, and a sample to give a feel of the material.
PRODUCT LIFECYCLE MAP
The circular life-cycle of Si-Shell
SYSTEM STAKEHOLDERS
Who are involved in the process?
PRODUCTION AND DISTRIBUTION MODEL
The process of making and reaching the consumer
Want to know more? Have any suggestions or feedback?