Environmental Footprint Calculation via QR Code Scanning
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems fail to provide consumers with accurate and practical methods to calculate and convey the environmental footprint of packaging, particularly due to the complexity of variables involved and the difficulty in compiling and maintaining country-specific data, and lack of personalized data to encourage sustainable practices.
Innovation Solution
A system and methodology that calculates environmental footprint by scanning a QR code, utilizing algorithms to adjust for product weight, density, transportation, and location, and provides personalized reports on carbon and water savings, along with tailored advertising and disposal options for made-from-stone packaging.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of information
If packaging includes detailed environmental footprint information, then consumers can make informed sustainable choices, but the complexity of calculating and maintaining country-specific data becomes unmanageable
Solution Approach 1:
The system segments the environmental footprint calculation into distinct modules: material composition analysis, country-specific data retrieval, transportation emissions calculation, and disposal pathway assessment. Each module handles specific variables independently, making the overall complex system manageable and maintainable while providing comprehensive footprint information to consumers.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces an intermediary computing system that acts as a mediator between consumers and the complex environmental data infrastructure. This intermediary handles data compilation, maintenance, and calculation automatically, presenting simplified environmental footprint information to consumers without exposing the underlying complexity of maintaining country-specific databases and calculation algorithms.
2Loss of information
If packaging prints all environmental data directly on the package, then consumers have immediate access to information, but the package size and cost increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system extracts detailed environmental footprint information from the physical packaging and relocates it to a digital platform. Consumers can access comprehensive environmental data online or through mobile devices without it being printed on the package, thus maintaining package surface area while preserving full information availability.
Solution Approach 2:
Instead of printing environmental data directly on packaging, the system creates digital copies of the footprint information accessible through QR codes or URLs on the package. Consumers can scan or access these codes to view detailed environmental information, effectively copying the data to a digital medium rather than expanding physical package size.
3Measurement precision
If the system calculates baseline emissions by quantifying avoided plastic production, then environmental benefits are accurately measured, but additional data processing and computation resources are required
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary calculations of baseline emissions and environmental benefits during the product design and manufacturing phases, storing these pre-computed values in databases. When consumers query the footprint information, the system retrieves pre-calculated data rather than performing intensive computations in real-time, thus maintaining measurement precision while reducing computation energy consumption during consumer interactions.
Data Source
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AI summary
System and method for determining environmental footprint for a product or packaging includes: receiving information from a user scanning a code on the product or packaging, where the received information includes time of the scan, geolocation of the user, user's language and information about the product or packaging; calculating a baseline emissions by quantifying an amount of conventional plastic production that has been avoided by considering product or packaging weight and density; adjusting the environmental footprint based on product or packaging weight and density; adjusting the environmental footprint based on location of where the product was acquired; factoring in carbon footprint of the transporting the product or packaging from an origination location to the location of where the product was acquired; and generating an environmental footprint report for transmission to the user, wherein the report includes environmental benefits generated as a result of purchasing the product using plastic alternative material.