Entity-Tagged Paper Recycling Traceability
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current paper recycling methods do not allow consumers to directly connect with their own waste, leading to a lack of incentive for recycling, particularly in high-use office environments where the feeling of ownership is low.
Innovation Solution
A method that involves collecting post-consumer waste paper, tagging it to associate it with the originating entity, recycling it, and then tagging the recycled paper to ensure it remains linked to the original entity, ensuring no external waste is included in the final product, using a system that includes steps like sorting, pulping, de-inking, and forming paper while maintaining traceability and quality assurance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If waste paper is collected from multiple sources and mixed together for processing, then cost effectiveness is improved, but the connection between consumer and their waste is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the recycling process by introducing entity-specific tagging and tracking systems. Waste paper from different entities is individually identified and tracked throughout the recycling process, allowing each entity to receive recycled paper from their own waste while maintaining cost-effective bulk processing through shared infrastructure.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements feedback loops where recycled paper is traced back to its source entity through tagging systems. This creates a closed-loop system where consumers can see the direct connection between their waste and the recycled product, reinforcing recycling behavior while maintaining efficient centralized processing.
2Productivity
If centralized recycling processing is used, then processing efficiency is improved, but consumer incentive to recycle decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses tracking and tagging systems to provide feedback to consumers about their recycling contribution. This maintains consumer incentive by showing the direct impact of their recycling actions while allowing centralized efficient processing to continue uninterrupted.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces tagging systems and tracking intermediaries that connect consumers to the centralized recycling process. These intermediaries maintain the psychological connection and incentive for consumers while allowing the bulk processing efficiency of centralized systems to operate.
3Loss of information
If entity-specific recycling tracking is implemented, then consumer connection to waste is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs universal tagging systems that serve multiple functions: identification, tracking, and connection establishment. This single system achieves traceability and consumer engagement without requiring separate complex systems for each function, reducing overall system complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses information copying through digital tracking systems rather than physical separation or complex mechanical identification. The tagging information is copied and tracked through the recycling process, providing traceability through information rather than physical complexity.
Data Source
Figure 1
AI summary
Provided is a method for recycling paper, which method comprises: (a) obtaining post-consumer waste paper; (b) tagging the waste paper such that a first entity is associated with the waste paper; (c) recycling the waste paper to produce recycled paper; (d) tagging the recycled paper such that a second entity is associated with the recycled paper; wherein, in step (c) the recycling process is conducted such that the recycled paper contains no waste paper that is not associated with the first entity.