Terry Li

Coffee is one of the most common daily drinks in AUT, and it has become inseparable from milk as a prevalent combination. It has become common sense that people often go to cafes for leisure and work. Therefore, the amount of milk bottles that continues to be produced daily/weekly/ yearly slowly becomes an issue. High-density polyethylene (HDPE) is most commonly used for milk packaging in New Zealand. The primary aim of this research project is to investigate design opportunities to upcycle HDPE plastic from discarded milk bottles. This research applied a product design approach to close the recycling loop and increase the plastic material’s lifespan. The characteristics of HDPE plastics were explored through research and experimentation to find new applications for discarded HDPE, positively impacting the product industry. Discarded HDPE plastic bottles were shredded and reformed using heat and moulding production methods. In this design project, it was also important to create an appealing aesthetic with HDPE plastic. Both the pleasing aesthetic and easy remodelling characteristics of HDPE were advantageous and helped to turn the discarded HDPE into a low-cost but high-quality product.