Sustainable Cups in Cafes with Life Cycle Assessment

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

Background Plastic use is one of the major causes of environmental harm. The increase in plastic waste is expected to reach an alarming rate especially with the outbreak of COVID-19. This study proposes an alternative design solution to replace plastic take-out cups in cafes. Specifically, it suggests the use of Spent Coffee Grounds (SCG) as a material to 3D print cups that are disposable, degradable, and environmentally friendly.
Methods To demonstrate the proposal of a 3D printed SCG cup, a digital model was created through 3D design tools and forwarded to an outsourcing company with the purchased coffee filament. As for the environmental value of the product, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) was referred to as a method of critiquing the eco-friendliness in the production, packaging, transportation, use, and end of life of the cup. The economic value of the product was established through research on the future insight of 3D printing technology. To accumulate consumer response, an online survey was distributed and it sought to 1) identify the demographic of the respondents, 2) determine respondents’ environmental awareness, and 3) evaluate the prototype. The quantitative and qualitative data collected through the survey were analyzed based on personal information and common themes among the suggestions made for the product.
Result Based on LCA, the eco-friendliness in the production, use, and end of life were highly positive, while it was mildly positive in packaging and transportation. This result indicates the advantage of the proposed idea as an alternative to plastic take-out cups. Meanwhile, although the economic value is doubtful at the present, it is expected to be optimistic in the future with the growth of the 3D printing industry and the sustainability of the product possesses a positive marketing value.
Conclusion The consumer response highlighted the requirement for improvements in design, functionality, and perception of the product.

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