Packaging waste-free delivery and operations at Oslo Airport terminal

Abstract

The project was structured according to the double diamond model and has four different phases; discover, define, develop, and deliver (Design Council, n.d.).

The first phase is the discover phase, which started with research on the packaging industry, the context of the project at Oslo Airport, and the eco-impact of packaging. This phase underlined the different beneficial functions of packaging. However, it also showed the massive impact packaging has on damaging our environment and the complexity of the packaging industry. This complexity comes from the different values of stakeholders, but also from a lack of communication, making it hard to implement change in the industry. From an airport operator position, such as Avinor, it is impossible to reach zero packaging waste without collaboration, as essential changes need to be made from the product source up. To tackle and minimize packaging waste it is required to collaborate with stakeholders throughout the whole supply chain, which is why this project highlights collaboration. Nevertheless, there are many circular solutions already available on the market. However, these solutions are not yet fully optimized to reduce CO2 emissions over the entire product life cycle.

This creates a conflict: while reducing packaging waste at Oslo Airport is the main goal of Avinor and this project, it may not always contribute to achieving a net zero footprint, which is the main objective of TULIPS.

While visiting Oslo Airport different problem areas regarding packaging waste at Oslo Airport were identified. These areas are; single-use pallets, milk packaging, secondary packaging, cardboard, plastic foil, waste station layout/signage, and communication.

In the define phase, the goal for the deliverable was set. Since it was discovered that the packaging industry is complex and implementing existing interventions to minimize waste is not always beneficial, a roadmap to a packaging waste-free future was established as one of the design outcomes alongside a concept for one of the problem areas. This roadmap utilizes the research insights to set goals and propose design interventions for packaging waste reduction in operational processes. As for the concept, the direction of redesigning the layout and signage in the waste station was taken. The design goal set was to; “enable workers who are returning packaging solutions to easily detect the designated areas for these items, enhance trust in the circular packaging economy, and increase capacity for future circular solutions”

In the develop phase the concept and the roadmap were drafted and iterations were made after testing. In the deliver phase the outcomes were presented. The concept makes use of different methods of wayfinding, optimizes the space with signage, and proposes a new layout. A visualization of the redesigned waste station is presented at the end of the report.