Week 1: Identifying Social Mission and Project Ideation

1. SOCIAL MISSION

Diversity in Technology Digital Entrepreneurship

Seed: Indonesia is the world's second-largest food waste contributor.

a. Impact of Food Waste in Indonesia

Societal Impact: According to National Waste Management Information System (SIPSN), food waste in Indonesia accounts for 46.75% of the country's total waste, which could support about 28 million people or as much as 11% of the population in Indonesia. Hence, the redistribution of food (to avoid waste) could help ammend Indonesia's food insercurity concerns. Although Indonesia’s food insecurity is rated moderately, the implication of over-consumption of produce pose as an economical issue as users would be spending than what is necessary.

Environmental Impact: Most waste food ends up in a landfill site, where it rots and releases methane, a powerful greenhouse gas. The emission generated from food waste is equivalent to 7.29% of the average emission of Indonesia per year, simultaneously becoming one of the significant contributors to Indonesia's pollution, global warming and climate change.

b. Case building for Graduation Project

Having grown up in Indonesia and with both parents working in the food service industry, I have gained a deeper understanding of the impact and the inner mechanics of the food industry, from production to disposal.

Hence, recognising an opportunity to alter the traditional food supply chain life cycle to reduce food waste by producing alternative outlets to distribute food before it becomes disposable food waste.

2. PROJECT IDEAS

Idea 1: Personalised Inventory Management & Food Processing App

Expanding a project from Human-Computer Interaction Course (BSc. Year 2)

a. Overview

Attempt to reduce food waste at a personal or individual user level.
Inventory Function

• Smart inventory management systems allow users to log/input items in their pantry.
• Inventory will log food type, expiration date, storage system and quantity.
• The app will remind users of when the product will expire and if the user is running low on specific produce.

Food Processing Function

• The app recommends users' recipes based on their inventory.
• The app will highlight meal recipes that include food products that are nearing expiration dates to avoid food waste.

Social Aspect (Optional)

• Allow user to create and publish their own recipes for other users to see
• Creating an added layer of knowledge sharing.

b. Impact

• Awareness: Increase the awareness of food waste
• Attitudinal: Hoping to distil a new attitude towards processing food to reduce waste.
• Environmental: Reduce the impact of greenhouse gasses from food waste by ensuring individual communities utilise their food effectively.

c. Presentation

A mobile application. Below are the elements I am hoping to complete before submission:

• Complete mobile application prototype
• Service and User Blueprint
• Functional Inventory management function [app]
• Functional recipe finder [app]
• Social platform (option if enough time)

d. Concerns

• Am I allowed to use one of my projects from Y2 as my final project?
• [For creating the recipe finder feature] Am I allowed to obtain recipes online? What will credit look like?
• Should I create my own recipes? Am I allowed to work with a chef/friend to produce the recipes to include in the app?
• I am planning on using Flutter to build the app, however wondering if you have better suggestion?

Idea 2: Hybrid App for redistribute food system life cycle

Hybrid software for Business and Personal Use to redistribute food system life cycle. Inspired by “Too good to go” App.

a. Overview

Attempt to reduce food waste by providing businesses with a logistic system for them to use and sell their unused food to the public before it goes bad.
Users with personal accounts will be able to buy unused food from listed businesses.

b. Impact

• Economic impact: Reduce the food cost for businesses and personal spending on groceries for personal account users.
• Environmental impact: reduce green-house gasses produced by food waste

c. Presentation

One application with two functionality and interface: one for business account holders and the second for personal account holders. The final product would be a prototype and business plan.

d. Concerns

• May be too similar to “too good to go”
• The mobile application might not be the most accessible way to improve food redistribution.
• No accessible delivery method

3. NEXT STEPS - goals for the week

• Finalise project idea
• Finalise project timeline until completion
• Work on context write-up (Thesis)
• Work on beneficiaries write-up (Thesis)
• Plan out user-research strategy
• Set up website (Either published in CCI’s server/ other hosting sites)

4. QUESTIONS FOR SUPERVISOR

• Is “research report” and “project portfolio” the same document?
• Should I work on the portfolio report first or the product?
• Do you think Flutter is a good framework?

5. RESOURCES

• https://student-activity.binus.ac.id/tfi/2022/09/indonesia-as-the-second-largest-food-waste-contributor-in-the-world/#:~:text=Currently%2C%20according%20to%20existing%20facts,%2C%20reaches%20more%20than%2060%25.
• Should I work on the portfolio report first or the product?
• https://www.channelnewsasia.com/asia/indonesia-tackling-food-waste-malnutrition-2932531#:~:text=Food%20waste%20costs%20the%20country,to%20malnutrition%20and%20poor%20hygiene
• https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8459289/