As of 2021, the climate crisis and the increase of greenhouse gas emissions are disrupting the Earth’s ozone layer, and impacting nature’s creations. Throughout our lives, we Americans have been educated on the importance of recycling material because it will benefit the environment. Even though many Americans recycle, sometimes we do not recycle the proper materials. We believe that recycling items that have the recycling logo printed on them help limit the amount of recyclable material in landfills, but recycling the wrong materials can damage the environment. In order to help decrease the amount of non-recyclable materials entering recycling facilities, constructing a new, environmentally safe, and easy product will enable Americans to recycle materials without having second thoughts. According to WestRock Packaging Company, citizens in the United States use at least two billion cardboard pizza boxes a year. Furthermore, Susan Lopes, an environmentalist, and journalist in the Good News Reuse have indicated that “People are always shocked to learn how many pizza boxes we throw away every year...they are also surprised to find out that food-stained pizza boxes are not recyclable...pizza boxes are crowding our landfills” (Lopes Good News Reuse). The statement of people being uneducated about recycling pizza boxes with residual grease and cheese is alarming.

 

The new creation of the pizza box called the “Multi Eco-Box” will solve the problem of recycling proper cardboard pizza boxes. Even though pizza lovers can scrape and attempt to remove grease and cheese from cardboard boxes, the Multi Eco-Box will eliminate taking those multiple steps. Grease and Cheese stain cardboard pizza boxes, and it is very difficult to remove the excess stains. The Multi Eco-Box is designed to have materials surrounding the interior of the box to absorb oils and grease from pizzas. After the pizza is consumed, pizza lovers can remove the material within the pizza and discard it in the trash bin. After this important step, the Multi Eco-Box will be recycled. 

 

To increase the desire of purchasing the Multi Eco-Box, designing the box as a multi-functional pizza box will attract targeted customers: pizza companies and pizza shops. Even though the Multi Eco-Box is constructed as an environmentally friendly and recyclable item, having multiple layers and incorporating pizza trays will allow people to use the box in many different ways. For example, as one opens the pizza box, the layered cardboard slots are able to be removed and act as a plate. Also, there are handles on the slide of the pizza boxes for people to carry the Multi Eco-Box more effectively. The Multi Eco-Box is designed to have sturdy and comfortable handles on each side because normally, carrying pizza boxes are very hot and cause discomfort to hands. The handles will eliminate the pain of touching very hot pizza boxes and the pizza will not move around the interior as much. 

 

The Multi Eco-Box should be placed on the market because it is inexpensive, will help many Americans solve the climate crisis, and act as a practical and convenient box. According to WebstrauntStore.com and howmuchisit.org, a medium-sized pizza box with a logo printed on top of the cardboard costs .30-.60 cents per box. Furthermore, non-ferrous aluminum costs around .15-.3 cents per pound according to elginrecyling.com. Although the price of the Multi Eco-Box will be a few cents more than the average and standard pizza boxes many pizza companies use in America, Americans participating in reducing the amount of trash entering landfills and non-recyclable material entering recycling mills is important. American pizza companies can help by using the Eco-Box.

 

This CAD Onshape design illustrates the dynamic features of the Multi-Eco Box. This particular design has been worked on for many months in order to focus on having the correct measurements for the box. As you can see, there are multiple holes, handles, and layered slots. The 3D design shows each side of the box, which mimics the conventional style of the standard pizza box. To make the Multi-Eco Box more dynamic, including the functions that I’ve stated a few seconds ago will increase the liking of the pizza box.