Type
Product Design
Duration
April 2025 - May 2025
Tools
Solidworks, Keyshot, Nanobanana, FDM
Dump it!
Bang it!
Scrape it!
Overview
A project aiming to develop a product that makes food disposal more approachable and accessible in RISD cafeteria (The MET); moreover, school cafeterias for younger students.
Why food waste disposal?
I began this project aiming to reduce food waste in RISD’s cafeteria but found that waste is inevitable in large dining settings.
I then shifted focus to food waste disposal, an often underlooked issue. When sent to landfills, food waste emits methane, a major greenhouse gas.
Proper separation allows reuse as fertilizer, creating a more sustainable cycle of production and consumption.
Problem…
“Food waste disposal feels like an additional step!”
Pain Points
It is the first year RISD cafeteria having a food compost only bin. Students are not used to separating food waste with landfills.
Layout of different waste bins make student go back and forth to compost food waste, especially with both hands full of utensils. Busy students who are running late use landfill bins to compost food waste.
“Why does the cafeteria use this inefficient layout?”
INTERVIEW with RISD Residential Dining Service Manager
Different waste bins locating closely can cause contamination: wrong waste going into wrong bins.
Some students might use landfill bins to compost food waste but the actual food compost bin stays isolated which has better chance of getting reused in sustainable cycle.
Design Points
Change of compost area orientation
Clear indication & separation of waste bins
Easy disposal with one hand
Idea Development
#1 Compost Area Layout
#2 Disposal Assist Product
Separating “comfort rim” from the waste bin.
(Adjustable for pre-owned bins)
Addition of a scraper feature.
Different layout drafts considering the cafeteria staff’s work radius, smooth and circular flow of students.
Initial Idea of “Comfort Rim” waste bin.
A silicon rim to dump & bang plates with one hand.
Adding a visual distinction from the other waste bins to prevent contamination issue.
Different leg orientations for a sound structure.
Prototype
Implication
Although the project was developed and tested within a college cafeteria context, the formation of sustainable habits begins at an early age.
I believe Mr. FrogEat has a strong potential to extend beyond the college environment, serving as an engaging and educational tool for encouraging responsible food disposal in elementary schools and beyond.
After the project presentation, RISD’s cafeteria The MET changed the layout of the compost area.
Although the food compost bin is no longer present, students are having much more fluent composting process compared to year 24-25.
