Today we met in our interdisciplinary groups once again, this time to discuss a potential service or product for a post-consumer. We began with a mind map. First we thought about electronic services such as an e-magazine or mobile phone application, which could be used by the post-consumer as a research tool. For example the e-magazine or app could provide information about where the local recycling points are, how to source local produce or top tips for healthy/green living. The post-consumer could also find out about relevant ethical or eco friendly events in their area. Next we discussed a craft package, which would include recycled/scrap fabrics and an instruction booklet, allowing the post consumer to transform the materials in to a range of items such as a soft toy, cushion, purse or key ring. Next we thought about a clothes recycling/transformation service, provision of allotments, a garden letting service, a gym which could be used to generate electricity, a local vegetable box/produce box delivery service and eventually we decided that we would establish an eco/craft café.
Ideas for the Eco/Craft Café:
The produce would be sourced locally
Fair trade and organic ingredients would be used where possible
Vegetarian options
Vegan options
Seasonal menu (reduced air miles of food-reduced carbon emissions)
Use renewable energy: Solar panels, wind turbines
Energy efficient light bulbs etc
Well-insulated building
Plant trees to offset carbon emissions
Carbon neutral if possible.
Free range chickens
Garden/allotment space
Recycling
Food waste-Compost heaps/feed to pigs.
Used tea bags can also be composted
Any packaging would be recycled
Building materials-straw/environmentally friendly alternatives
A room/area of the café would be used as a craft workshop
Knitting/crochet workshops
Make and mend events
Learn to sew
Dressmaking/Soft furnishing courses
Educational craft based classes for school children
Upcycling workshop
Target Market
Post-consumers
Young Professionals
Students
Research
T in the Park is a carbon neutral festival some of the methods used here could be implemented in an eco café. For more information please follow the following links:
http://www.perthshire.co.uk/index.asp?pg=382
http://www.tinthepark.com/content/default.asp?page=s9_4
Quirky Green Message Video from Green Thing
Meet Green Thing from Green Thing on Vimeo.
Green Thing is not-for-profit public service that encourages people to have a green lifestyle.
http://www.dothegreenthing.com/
Examples of current eco cafés
http://www.funkyteapot.co.uk/page.php?pageid=home
Students at Hereford College of Technology have an eco café made from straw (as was suggested by one of the members in the group- he is going to research this further)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/herefordandworcester/hi/people_and_places/newsid_9379000/9379975.stm
Perhaps outside catering/events and private functions could be catered for as is currently offered by The Fold a well-established eco café offering a range of services, which includes the Care Farm. The Care Farm not only supplies the café and restaurant but also produces plants to be sold and gives people an area to grow. Courses, workshops, events, festival and exhibitions also take place or are organized at The Fold.
http://www.thefold.org.uk/ecocafe/the-ecocafe
For the meeting next week, which i am unable to attend due to a course trip to Paris we will each research eco cafes and read a section of the business start up guide. I have been assigned chapters 16, 17 and 18 to read and summarize, i will then email my findings to the rest of the group.
