Design for Leftovers. From Food Waste to Social Responsibility

The paper deals with a didactics and research experience, in which actors from cultural (international no-profit Association enhancing food value), academic (University), commercial (packaging production Firm) and social fields (Foundation recovering and re-distributing food excess) converged on the exploration of post- consumption food waste in public spaces. The aim was to develop products for leftovers pack and transport, the so-called “doggy-bags”, increasing meaningfulness and value perception of food resources, raising public awareness on the food waste reduction importance in an environmental, ethical, social, cultural and economical context. The activity involved about 200 students, generated around 50 projects and proceeded with the realization and commercialization of one selected product. A campaign promoting this action and raising awareness about the global urgent phenomenon of post-consumption food waste was launched: the new food bags represent a smart and friendly tool enabling everyone to play their part in assuring food waste minimization and leftovers recover.