It’s been almost five months when we started this project and we’ve been through a lot!
We started with Smart Cities, changed it to Food Waste and ended up with an Interactive Garden for Kids.
In this final post we’ll summarise our research questions and our findings for you to read.
Research Question:
How can a digital application, connected to sensors change consumer attitude towards food waste?
Solution
As an answer to this question we developed the concept of Grut, a sensor kit connected to a digital application that helps children grow their own plants.
By making it easier for children to grow their own plants we hope that more children in the city will come in contact with homegrown food and as adults, make more conscious choices regarding their food consumption and in turn reduce food waste.
The sensors are attached to the soil near the plant and send data to a database. The app determines the condition of the plant based on the data that the sensors gather. Depending on the condition of the plant, the app will give the child advice on how to best take care of his plant.
Context
In Holland, 31% of edible food is wasted (Circle Economy, 2014) by the consumer attitude (FoodDrinkEurope, 2014).
To put this into perspective, in 2013, the Dutch consumer has wasted a total of approximately 2.5 billion euros (Rijksoverheid).
The resources that have been put into growing the food are also wasted, which in turn has an impact on the environment. (Circle Economy, 2014)
Research has shown that by attending school gardens, children gain more respect, knowledge and appreciation for nature and food (Passy, Morris, Reid).
Future Iterations
Currently we have a basic prototype of the application. In the future we want to work further on the topics listed below
• Making the website responsive
• Acquire a database with the conditions for each plant
• Flesh out the checklists and advice
• Experience a full cycle of the plant with the application to iron out bugs
• Develop the personality of the avatar
• Explore the possibilities to involve food waste more
Research Poster
Our research poster, with flowcharts, abstract and conclusions can be found by clicking this link
Exposition
The exposition was a success! There were a lot of people who were interested and enthousiastic in the project and when we explained the concept and showed the prototype, it clicked immediately.
This project is definitely something we want to continue with after we’ve sorted out our affairs.
Sources
Circle Economy (2014)
Circle Scan: Current state and future vision, Agri & Food sector
Consulted on october 30th 2014 via:
https://www.rabobank.com/nl/images/03-07_CE_Rabobank_AgriFood_Circle_Scan.pdf
FoodDrink Europe
Possible causes of food loss and food waste
Consulted on october 30th 2014 via:
http://www.fooddrinkeurope.eu/industry-in-focus/foodwaste-toolkit/possible-causes-of-food-loss-and-food-waste
Passy, R., Morris, M., Reid, F.
Impact of school gardening on children
Rijksoverheid (2013)
Feiten en cijfers verspilling voedsel consumenten in 2013
Consulted on october 24th 2014 via:
http://www.rijksoverheid.nl/onderwerpen/voeding/documenten-en-publicaties/brochures/2014/01/29/feiten-en-cijfers-verspilling-voedsel-consumenten-in-2013.html