To tackle the 3,000 pieces of plastic utensil waste produced daily by my school cafeteria, I have proposed the creation of a fungal bioremediation facility. This facility will leverage plastic-degrading fungi like oyster mushrooms and Aspergillus tubingensis to naturally break down collected plastics.
My system will provide sorted collection bins across campus to aggregate plastic waste, which will then be shredded and sterilized on-site before fungal inoculation. By cultivating these fungi on the cafeteria's plastic waste, we can reduce landfill dumping while generating fungal biomass that can be used for soil enrichment.
Additionally, I aim to develop an mycelium manufacturing initiative as a substitute for conventional plastic disposable utensils. Blending agricultural residues with living mycelium, we can mold sustainable alternatives that curb ongoing plastic usage. Through this paired focus on biodegradation and replacement, my project presents a zero-waste solution fit for our school's needs and our planet's future.
Current Experiments / Next Steps ****
As a graphic designer, I am exploring conceptual solutions to tackle the plastic waste generated by disposable utensils in school cafeterias. Though I do not have an scientific background to experimentally develop bioremediation fungi and processes, I am focused on comunicating and envisioning how such an initiative could be implemented.
My next steps are to create information graphics illustrating potential systems for utensil biodegradation using key plastic-consuming fungi. I hope to visually demonstrate how a campus could collection and transport cafeteria plastic waste to an on-site mycoremediation facility. Renderings projecting how the fungi grow on shredded plastic substrates could help secure institutional and student support.
While the experimental development depends on securing biological and engineering collaborators, I believe powerful visual communication tools can help manifest this concept. I welcome partnerships across disciplines to turn this vision into reality.
I am a designer and visual artist who grew up in NanChang, China, I am currently MFA2 Student in Graphic Design at CalArts. I specialize in visual identity and branding strategies. I use design as a tool of expression, and care about the world.
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“Mycoremediation provides hope for combating the environmentally damaging implications of plastic. Several species of Kingdom Fungi have now been identified with the ability to degrade plastics and PAHs, including Pleurotus ostreatus (Oyster Mushroom) , Trametes Versicolor (Turkey Tail) , and Lentinula edodes (Shiitake). Los Angeles County creates nearly 30 million tons of waste each year, with plastic the greatest contributor to our wastestream by item. Most of the plastic waste will go into the Landfills. If we use Fungi in the Landfills place to help to deal with the plastic waste if will be a great to way to deal with all the plastic.” - YY
