Repurpose packaging

UNHRD Lab in collaboration with its suppliers redesigned the packaging of family tents (a wooden crate) to be used as a cradle for babies until the age of four months. Once the tent is set up, the crate can be turned into a cradle with rockers, a baby mattress and sheets. A complementary teddy bear is produced with excess materials from blanket production (6)

UNICEF will print and pre-cut toys on cardboard packaging of ready-to-use therapeutic food. The project is not only tackling packaging waste, but also addresses the lack of access to toys – an important part of malnutrition treatment. If scaled, this project has the potential to reach up to five million children per year – the number of children who received UNICEF-supported severe acute malnutrition treatment and care in 2019.

UNHRD Lab is redesigning the packaging of its kitchen sets to be easily turned into a solar cooker. According to UNHRD, it only requires three steps to set up the cooker. Not only is packaging waste reduced, the cooker also reduces fuel consumption.

The NGO developed a school bag that turns into a small desk for children in areas that lack basic school necessities. Aarambh collects discarded cardboard boxes from recycling centres, offices and retail stores and cuts out the desk/bag design. The cardboard then folds into a small bag for school supplies and can even be turned into a small desk. The project helps improve children’s posture and comfort and avoids health problems arising from reading and writing long hours on the floor. (7)