The Transformation Issue | Idealog.co.nz
042
Harriet Graydon
While planting seedlings, why are we putting more plastic into the environment we
are trying to help? Using plastic seedling protectors to solve the problem of seedling
establishment rates has led to the problem of plastic pollution in planting environments.
We believe that strong dag wool we can solve both these problems.
The final concept is a plant mat and windbreak made from a compressed dag wool
material. The plant mat will be 30x30cm squared, which will reduce the weed growth around
the small tree. The reduction of weed growth ensures that the growing tree receives as
much nutrition from the soil as possible without needing to share this with the unnecessary
weeds. Due to the materials used both the mat and the break are expected to decompose
within six months (International Wool Textile Organisation, 2019) with all of the nutrients
from the wool and the manure going into the soil surrounding the growing tree.
When designing the product, an understanding of the market and demand had to be
considered. The One Billion trees project currently taking place in New Zealand shows there
is a clear demand for a product to provide nutrition and protection to the growing trees,
making it a desirable product in our country at present.WOOLLEN
PREMATURE
BABY
CARE
DAG WOOL
WEED MAT
A ND SEEDLING
PROTECTOR
Melissa Woods
Premature babies spend a long time with
tubes attached to them. This is usually
with a plastic-based bandage or tape that
is often damage to their fragile skin, and
even more damaging when it has to be
removed. We propose create a soft tape
for small bandages made from wool to use
on babies’ faces. The eye masks used when
a child has jaundice are also of a plastic
material and on for long periods of time.
Soft felted eye masks would make the
perfect alternative. All are compostable,
good for the earth and good for our babies.FINALISTS