The BITE System

Using a speculative scenario as a starting point, where the city of San Francisco can no longer accept compost waste by the year 2050. How do we create uses for this waste and create a closed loop system?

One of the particular items that we throw in the composting bin is food soiled paper from food packaging and take-out containers. These containers cannot be recycled and even recycling paper cannot be infinitely reused—the fibers can only be reused up to seven times, after that new paper must be introduced. I began experimenting with food soiled paper containers in an attempt to create a new biomaterial that could tackle the problem of this food waste byproduct.

Of the most successful experiments were made out of paper fibers from take out containers made from sugarcane mixed with a bioplastic created using gelatin and baking soda. Once dry, the resulting material had surprisingly hard and durable qualities almost like a pliable concrete or plaster.

Using the hard properties of the materials to create the closed loop system, I created the BITE system. BITE stands for Back Into The Ecosystem. It is a new separate waste category that introduces a new bin where food soiled containers can be deposited and then repurposed into uses for the cafeteria or restaurant—such as a tray that holds your food to take to your table.