REDUCE

REDUCE is an interdisciplinary research project led by OsloMet University. The project investigates how everyday plastic use can be reduced by exploring systemic changes in design, policy, and user practices.

With a focus on three central areas – hygiene, leisure, and childhood – the project brings together researchers in design, sociology, and history, alongside industry actors and public organizations.

KTH/Green Leap contributes with a work package exploring future scenarios of everyday life with less plastic. Central to this is a large-scale everyday experiment together with the Hesse family in southern Stockholm. The Hesse family consists of mother Emelie, father Walter, and children Henry and Anna. At the beginning of August, the researchers carried out a complete plastic purge in the family’s home – all plastic was removed and placed on white boards in the garden. This included kitchen appliances, furniture, bed linens, mattresses, clothes, cleaning products, garden tools, and, not least, toys. These items were replaced with plastic-free alternatives, as far as possible. For one month the family then lived without plastic, while the project followed their everyday life through interviews and film. After a month, the family received their belongings back, but only the items that had not been replaced; the rest the researchers kept.

The experiment concretely reveals all the plastic we have in our homes, without being aware of it. It shows that much can be replaced – often with higher quality and functionality – and much can be done without. But it also shows what CANNOT be replaced, highlighting the need for new products and solutions. The Hesse family’s everyday life and experiences of a plastic-free existence were documented through film, still images, and in-depth interviews. This will provide invaluable insights into what such a radical step can mean and what changes are needed both individually and at the systemic level. All the items the researchers kept will be exhibited in Sweden and Norway, with the hope that they will trigger strong recognition while also giving visitors lasting reflections on our plastic dependency. During the work, we discovered that many companies are already today developing plastic-free alternatives – often with great knowledge, innovation, and care behind the products. An important goal of the exhibition is therefore to highlight these alternatives, foster hope for the future, and create discussions about possible pathways towards a plastic-reduced society.

The methodology involves creating prototypes of a sustainable future and has been developed by KTH/Green Leap over more than 10 years. We have previously tested car-free living, shared housing forms, and local offices. We call this Designerly Living Labs – full-scale experiments with real people in their everyday lives, which we follow over longer periods, from a month to a year. The experiment often involves new products or services, but above all, it is about changing lifestyles, practices, and habits. We continuously follow participants with interviews, observations, and data collection. Through this we gain invaluable insights into people’s experiences over time. We see the challenges and obstacles they face, as well as positive experiences and benefits, but also unexpected consequences and their solutions. Often not only hindering norms and habits become visible, but also shortcomings in product and service supply, as well as conflicting goals and obstructive regulations and policies. The results show that a sustainable lifestyle, with radically new behaviors, is not only possible – but also within reach.

Contact:
Sara Ilstedt, Project Leader: sarai@kth.se, +46 70 798 78 30
Katja Petterson, Exhibition: studio@katjapetterson.com, +46 70 777 88 441