When three students received a damaged package, they decided to develop a solution by creating environmentally friendly cardboard packaging that can prevent the problem from taking place.
As Killerstartups reported, Zhi Han (Anthony) Yao, Flint Mueller and James Clare, student of the Stuyvesant High School in New York City, Kirboard, a plastic -free alternative to the usual pushing film. After receiving a delivery of damaged engines in the mail, they were determined to find a way to better protect products during the transport.
“We are like, we should do something about this packaging because the packaging was clearly not good enough,” said Müller.
The teenagers were inspired by Kirigami – a Japanese art form in which 3D designs are created by cutting and folding paper – and Kirboard was born. The material is cut into grid -like shapes so that it bend and the padding between an object and the sides of the box.
It sounds easy, but the invention could change for the shipping industry. The patterns in the cardboard make the material durable, protect products and minimize the effects during shipping without the harmful side effects of air cushion film or styrofoam.
In April her invention received global recognition after winning the 12,500 dollar -Earth Prize, an international competition for ecological sustainability for teenagers. Killerstartup said that you would like to use the money for the purchase of a CNC router with which the cardboard process is automated and you can scale production.
“Something like this is the wave of the future,” Jerry Citron, the teenager teacher of the teenager, told the teenager to Business Insider.
Since public awareness of the effects of climate change and pollution grows, more young people take it to themselves to develop sustainable innovations that can promote progress and promote a healthier planet for future generations. The invention of the teenagers is just one of many examples of environmentally friendly solutions that are both inexpensive and practical.
All packaging ideas that eliminate plastic are urgently needed because microplastics emit from the materials and ends up practically everywhere from the bottom of the oceans to the surfaces of the mountains. They were also found in human bodies and are associated with numerous health problems, from reproductive dysfunctions to various types of cancer and even neurodegenerative diseases.
“I didn't know that it was as big as it was,” Yao told Business Insider. “I mean, companies have taken sustainable initiatives and more environmentally friendly initiatives, but they have not completely replaced the plastic packaging.”
TCD picks »Upway Spotlight
💡upway makes it easy to find discounts of up to 60% of premium e-bike brands
After the trio had carried out a series of tests to determine the weight of the box, the trio was confident that its product could be used in real environments. The Kiriboard was able to remove the effects of heavy objects such as metal water bottles and booklets from considerable heights. After the product is successful, the next step is to test it further by sending packages to see how the Kiriboard has a talent under real conditions outside the laboratory. Then the teenagers plan to follow a patent and to judge the product to retailers such as Home Depot, Amazon, Fedex and the USPOSTDIE.
If everything runs, the product can be the next big deal that helps to reduce the costs and to promote sustainability in several industries.
“Not bad for three teenagers and a damaged box engines,” Killerstartup Castle.
Take our free newsletter to get weekly updates to the latest innovations improve our lives And shape our futureAnd don't miss this cool list of simple ways to help yourself and help the planet.
