The Plastic Bag Problem
EPAM Continuum and Footprint Zero Partner to Tame a Pollution Beast
The Plastic Bag Problem
EPAM Continuum and Footprint Zero Partner to Tame a Pollution Beast
An estimated five trillion plastic bags are used annually worldwide, but there is no easy way to recycle them.
The damage done to the environment is multiplying as a result. Startup Footprint Zero wants to change that.
An estimated one to three percent of plastic bags are recycled, which means the vast majority end up in landfills, waterways and blowing around all corners of the Earth. Because they are made from harmful chemicals, they present a long-term threat to our environment.
Footprint Zero came to EPAM Continuum with an idea to create a device that would consume the unwieldy piles of plastic bags that households collect and compact them in a way that would be much easier to store and deliver for recycling.
Testing, Refining, Succeeding
Finding the right pressure, temperature and methods for deployment involved many rounds of testing. Too much pressure and the device would damage itself; too much heat and the bags could melt and stick to the machine, or they could release odors or potentially harmful chemicals. These are the type of puzzles for which Made Real Lab is built.
Because we follow strict guidelines on product development, EPAM Continuum brought in a test lab to conduct gas analysis on the air both inside and outside the device during heating to ensure it wouldn’t generate harmful gases. Of course, we researched optimal temperature ranges as part of our development process, but we also took the extra step to ensure the highest quality standards.
Taming the Beast
In just four months, we were able to carry the idea from thought bubble to proof of concept to working prototype. Now we are working to build an Alpha prototype with plans to be ready for manufacturing later this year.
At the same time, the client is collaborating with recycling experts to promote a wider acceptance of this stream of materials by recycling stations. Footprint Zero’s ultimate goal is for plastic bags to be just as convenient and simple to recycle as everything else we leave by the curb. The client is working through the processing and logistics questions to make this happen in the United States first, with an eye to revolutionizing recycling globally.
At EPAM Continuum, our range of technical and consulting expertise enables us to co-create and collaborate through the entire journey of a new product. We not only prototype and develop the product but also help our clients engage contract manufacturers, walk side by side with them through the mass manufacturing process and support product launch.
We are proud to be part of this important vision for a cleaner, safer planet.
HEAR FROM FOOTPRINT ZERO
“EPAM Continuum brings a diversity of talent and expertise to their projects and, beyond that, they use the latest technologies in structuring, planning and managing the work. I think this team is much more focused and organized than any team I’ve worked with before. EPAM focuses on value throughout the development process and that builds trust.”
Ivan Arbouzov
CEO, Footprint Zero
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