Katherine Kerr has an ambition to combat plastic pollution, one DIY kit at a time. Her design is catching the eyes of students across Falmouth University campus, hoping to help the fight against plastic in our sea.
“We only have one planet” Katherine Kerr said passionately to me as she explained the conception of her design, “so we need to teach the next generation about the climate crises and how to lead a sustainable lifestyle.”
Katherine Kerr has always felt passionate about design, engaging with new ways to achieve a more sustainable future. Now in her third year of sustainable product design at Falmouth University, her ambitions have stretched further; “Like many people in Cornwall, I’m concerned about the plastic in our seas; that’s why I decided to develop products using bioplastics.”
Bioplastics are made from biological substances rather than petroleum. Katherine is using orange peels to produce toothpaste tubes and leather alternatives; providing diverse ways to combat and reduce harmful plastic waste. A staggering 3.8 million tons of orange peels are wasted annually, and when Katherine heard this statistic, she knew something could be done.
However, it’s her DIY kits that have stood out too many; made to bring sustainability closer to the homes of people who want to make a difference. These kits provide the tools and information to produce your own plastic alternatives. Your next purse or wallet may not only be made from orange peels, but you could make one yourself.
“My sole aim is to encourage people to take sustainability into their own hands and protect our beautiful oceans from damaging plastics.” The biggest contributor to ocean pollution is plastic packaging, estimating 99 kg of single-use plastic waste is generated per person each year. Katherine Kerr’s ambition to spread awareness about this issue, and tackle it head on, has inspired more people to act.
For Emily Stewart, a close collaborator and admirer of Katherine's work, the impact of these designs' spans further than just its innovation; “seeing the production of these DIY Kits has inspired me to look closer at how I can live more sustainably, making me realize the importance of looking after our oceans.” Emily, like many others who have seen the kits, have become advocates for the use of bioplastics, and call for a wider use across Cornwall.
Katherine Kerr is working hard to develop this design, currently perfecting her orange peel bioplastic through meticulous research and experimentation. She has now achieved her first prototype of the DIY kit. She continues to emphasize the importance of opening a wider conversation about sustainable living and hopes “sustainability can both become a creative outlet for someone, as well as become more accessible for wider audiences.”
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