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E. Tschavgova

2 records found

Authored

Green Parenting in 2030

Exploration of systemic & sustainable innovation with Philips

Master thesis (2022) - E. Tschavgova, J.M.L. van Engelen, C.B.A. Kobus

Context within Philips:
This thesis is part of a new project track within Philips with the goal of developing a roadmap of tangible and practical sustainable solutions, integrated in the Philips portfolio and inspired by a long-term vision. The case study of this project track and therefore thesis is the MCC business (Mother and Child Care).

Redefining sustainability in 2030:
Looking at current practices of sustainability, this thesis questions them as being too slow and not effective enough. This dissatisfaction with current actions required taking a step back and rethinking what sustainability means in this project. Resulting in using Gaia, a future with the ideal to "focus human activity towards restoring the natural dynamic balance of ecosystems that nourishes all life on earth", as the inspiration on what sustainability should become in the 2030.
Concretely, this means from a consumer perspective that our mindset needs to evolve from exploiting nature to giving back to nature. From a business perspective, however, this means to deliver value to the entire ecosystem and not only to humans – in contrast to today's businesses’ monetary and human-serving focus.

Process:
The complex topic of sustainable parenthood was analyzed though system analysis, which resulted in the identification of the parent's dilemma of wanting to act eco-responsible but being immersed in triggers for overconsumption. To make the complexity of the dilemma comprehensible for the stakeholders it got translated into a story telling map. User research has been conducted to validate and analyze the identified dilemma in depth.

Results:
This thesis delivered three main results.

1. Insight cards. They are based on the user research, giving further details on the dilemma and providing insight on how to resolve it. The can be used by the MCC stakeholders to develop future BVPs.

2. Dilemma model. The insight cards can be mapped down within the story telling map. Resulting in a model explaining the dilemma parents face when it comes to becoming sustainable and mapping the insights needed on resolving this.

3. Vision. The quotes and insights of the qualitative study have been applied in the context of a participatory story building workshop to create personas and develop a sustainable future vision for MCC.

Contributed

Developing a Circular Cup System at Schiphol Airport

Master thesis (2023) - Y. CHEN, S.S. van Dam, G. Granato, E. Tschavgova

The global shift towards sustainability has spotlighted the environmental implications of disposable takeaway coffee cups, particularly their contribution to landfill waste and ocean pollution. This report delves into the pressing challenge of reducing disposable cup waste at Schiphol Airport, especially in light of the impending Dutch regulations effective from 1 January 2024, which prohibit establishments from offering disposable plastic cups for on-site consumption.

Through comprehensive literature review and desktop research, I explored potential market alternatives, analyzing them from regulatory, business, consumer, and sustainability perspectives. My findings suggest that polypropylene (PP) cups are emerging as a preferred alternative to disposable paper cups after considering various factors.

Observations at Schiphol Airport and interviews with passengers provided insights into their preferences and perceived challenges regarding sustainable cup solutions. While there's a general preference for lightweight, portable, and easy-to-dispose cups, some concerns have emerged regarding the cleanliness and hygiene of reusable cups made from new materials, as well as the inconvenience of bringing personal cups to the airport.Stakeholder interviews highlighted challenges they face due to the new regulations, such as limited kitchen space for washing, concerns about brand experience, increased workload for cleaning companies due to improper disposal, and the difficulty of finding a one-size-fits-all solution.

In response to these challenges and insights, I propose a new service system, "Cupmates: Journey to a Zero-Waste Future." This system introduces reusable PP cups, complemented by branded sleeves for various shops, ensuring brand experience. Passengers pay a deposit for the cup and lid, which is refunded upon returning the used items to smart return box equipped with an electronic payment system. An optional QR code provides users with more information about the Cupmates service. The backend process involves a centralized collection, in-airport dishwasher cleaning, and redistribution for the cups.

Feedback from potential users and key stakeholders suggests that this solution is both feasible and viable for airport implementation and satisfactory for passengers. The report also offers recommendations for implementation, ensuring a smooth transition to a more sustainable future at Schiphol Airport. This project offers a possible solution for Schiphol Airport to address the challenges of single-use plastics and transition towards a more sustainable operational model.