Beedie students showcase sustainable products

Team Purslett display their purse designed from recycled wallets that convienently carries a cellphone. From left to right: Kimika Taniguchi, Allison Neil and Christiana Ho.

Beedie School of Business students continue to contribute to Vancouver’s Greenest City by 2020 goals with the kick-off of Products for a Circular Economy, a four-day event that showcased sustainable products of the students’ own creation.

The event, held from November 20 to 23, was part of the Business 443: New Product Design & Development course. Class instructor Lisa Papania had tasked the students with conceptualizing, designing, developing and producing products that are then displayed for sale to the public.

The course challenged the students to make products that are in pursuit of one of the ten Greenest City goals, encouraging the students to consider green jobs and zero waste when creating the products.

It was offered in partnership with CityStudio, the National Zero Waste Council’s circular economy working group, the Vancouver Economic Commission, Frameworq, and Basic Design Studio.

In total, 11 student projects were on display, including Keeper Case, a recycled material case that allows Apple product owners to correctly and safely carry their various chargers. The case’s unique design prevents strain on the charger cords, which often necessitates the purchase of replacement chargers, resulting in more waste.

Purslett transforms old wallets into new purses that conveniently hold a cell phone. By adding a chain strap and attaching a pair of snaps on an old wallet and a pair of snap fasteners on a phone case, the wallet turns into a purse that securely carries a phone.

“Sustainability is becoming a necessity for businesses as customers are developing into conscious consumers that no longer want to buy from companies that are harming the environment,” said Allison Neil, Purslett team member.

El Bow Tie, a twist on the traditional bow tie, is made from reclaimed wood sourced through Craigslist ads and recycled fabrics. The product design process taught the students – and shoppers – that material thought of as waste can be sustainably used in new products.

“The students learned how to identify a customer’s problem and solve it with a sustainable product, ensuring that every part from start to finish is making a positive impact along the way,” said Papania. “I am proud of their work, but I am not the one evaluating them – that’s the customers who have visited the store and said the students have done exceptionally well.”

Click here to view the students’ products on display at thisopenspace.