Abstract
Product design has massively contributed to the global problem of waste, with many products designed for overconsumption, single-use, or planned obsolescence. The aim of this paper is to illustrate how engagement with material experimentation can contribute to sustainability in product design, resulting in greater access to manufacturing processes and technologies, and stimulating economic growth and social upliftment. Product waste has significant environmental, social, and economic impacts; however, waste also has the potential to be viewed as a valuable resource. Engaging with waste value chains provides the opportunity to contribute to industry innovation, sustainable cities, economic growth, and reduced inequalities. With the need to reach net zero, sustainability has been a core consideration in manufacturing and design practice. This paper provides insights into vital sustainable design practices and illustrates the role that waste value chains have in advancing a circular economy. The study brings key Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into focus and outlines how circular design can lead to sustainability and social upliftment. The paper details the practice-led process of low-tech and context-aware biomaterial experimentation for new product development, illustrated through a design project undertaken at a South African university, where a pill bottle was effectively designed and manufactured from waste material, specifically spent eggshells. The research project was undertaken in two parts and guided by the theory of Circular Design. Part 1 encompassed the development of the biomaterial through the iterative undertaking of action research. In Part 2, the developed biomaterial was applied to the design of a suitable product using the Double Diamond design process and outlines the development of low-tech tooling utilised for the product production, further engaging with appropriate technology. Although these parts are described separately, they were interdependent and informed each other. The project illustrates how biomaterial innovation could result in effective substitutes for single-use plastic products.