In Taiwan, kitchen waste makes up 40% of total garbage, but less than 10% is recycled due to a lack of a unified system and inconsistent district policies. Insufficient transport containers also lead to waste being discarded with general garbage, highlighting the need for a more cohesive recycling system.
A kitchen waste recycling system to make it convenient and even fashionable to recycle kitchen waste, improve the recycling rate, and use it to generate electricity.
This was a 9 months long project as part of the graduation final project.
Tzu-Hsien Kuo
Yi-Ting Liu
Product design
9 months
A disposal container made from waterproof material derived from fermented food residue. Both the containers and processed food waste can be recycled to generate electricity.
It is specifically designed to prepare waste for electricity generation, with easy operation that starts the entire process at the press of a button.
The stations will be placed along recycling truck routes and easily accessible locations. When a gathering station reaches capacity, our staff will collect the used containers and deliver fresh ones to the power plant. This ensures uninterrupted operation and maximum convenience for families, as the system runs 24/7.
In Taiwan, due to the lack of a proper sewerage system, it is not possible to use a garbage disposal unit to dispose of kitchen waste by grinding it up and flushing it down the drain, as is commonly done in the United States. Below is the process of kitchen waste treatment with different types of residential properties in Taiwan.
Due to the lack of an integrated kitchen waste recycling system, people and waste collectors often dispose of it with general waste, leading to incineration. This practice harms the environment and imposes external costs on both incinerators and the ecosystem.
The kitchen waste collection bins on the garbage truck are insufficient to accommodate the amount of food waste produced, leading to some of the waste being thrown directly into the general garbage.
Some people may not separate their kitchen waste and directly throw it into the general garbage bin for convenience.
We conducted secondary research to understand households’ disposal experiences and validated the findings through a survey(n=138).
Households without centralized garbage collection who struggle to catch the garbage truck on time.
To create a waste-to-energy system that allows individuals to effectively manage their kitchen waste at home while eliminating unpleasant odors.
We have done marketing research and found that most of the kitchen appliances are square. Therefore, we want our product to be suitable for kitchen, so we have come up with a simple shape, which is composed of rectangle and circle.
Puanton is an essential part of our mission to simplify food waste recycling for families. This recyclable container requires no washing before disposal and is made from waterproof material derived from fermented food residue, which can be directly recycled to generate electricity. This makes it both organic and eco-friendly.
We utilized 3D printing, ABS plastic, and paper materials to create some prototypes.
Unlike existing products that convert food waste into fertilizer; instead, we prepare them for generating electricity.
Our machine put processed food waste into Puanton, leaving users to cap it. Along with a simple interface, it gives users a clean and neat feeling.
01. Consume the food.
02. Place the food waste into the machine.
03. Insert Puanton containers into the machine, allowing for automated filling of processed food waste.
04. Press the start button and wait for the machine to shred and dry the food waste.
Our gathering stations are strategically located along recycling truck routes, at convenience stores, and other accessible spots. Similar to vending machines, once a station reaches capacity, our staff collects the used Puanton containers and delivers fresh ones to the power plant. This ensures continuous operation and convenience for families, with the system running 24/7.
To further enhance the user experience, our system features a user-friendly application that calculates electricity discounts based on the weight of food waste contributed, incentivizing active participation in recycling. Additionally, the app includes a mini-map showing nearby gathering stations, making it easy for users to find the most convenient drop-off points for their food waste.
We have designed a range of common colors for the processor to cater to various kitchen styles and preferences. This allows users to choose a color that best complements their kitchen aesthetics, ensuring the processor seamlessly integrates into their kitchen setup. With multiple color options available, users can select the one that matches their style and enhances their kitchen's overall look.
LOHAS white
conservative gents blue
classic black
The mechanics and user flow still need to be evaluated and refined to create optimal user experiences.
Throughout this project, I have identified areas that require improvement. For instance, we still need to refine the mechanics to ensure our product functions effectively. Additionally, we need to address certain flaws of taking kitchen waste to the gathering station in order to enhance the overall user experience.
Think creativity and sustainability!
This is my first experience working on such a massive project, and upon reflecting on it, I realize that it has greatly expanded my knowledge of sustainability design. It has truly opened my eyes to the fact that we still have countless opportunities to impact the environment positively.
Despite these challenges, I have gained valuable insights from this project, including the opportunity to interview experts and gain a deeper understanding of how kitchen waste can be converted into electricity. It has also encouraged me to think creatively and find innovative solutions to everyday problems that can contribute to environmental sustainability.