My Product service system is a self serving herb station positioned at local supermarkets. My PSS aims to reduce food waste and packaging material as well as save money for the consumer and herb providers.
Food waste is a major problem in australia. as a matter of fact it is a problem for the majority of first world countries as over 40 percent of our bins are thrown away food. however the biggest offender of food waste are the supermarkets who throws away the largest proportion of food with fruits, vegetable and herbs being the most thrown out. that is, tens of millions of kilograms of safe, ediable fresh food and groceries are being discarded every year.
So why is this happening? In order to understand this we need to have a look at the scenario board. A person decides that she wants to cook a meal at home how ever she doesn't have the required ingridents. purchasing of ingridients could take place prior or after the decision to cook, and she finds herself making a purchase for the herbs. at her local supermarket they provide herbs in big bunches which she doesnt need that much since she is cooking for herself, and the smaller portions of hers are heavily packaged and these are what you would find at your local major supermarket.
The problem with this is that if you're buying small portions they are expensive due to the excess packaging, which is harmful to the environment as well. and if you were to buy a whole bunch, you would lose the freshness if not used in time which could be difficult if you live alone or dont cook often, and both products would lose its freshness if it is not purchased quickly.
(system map and product) This is where my PSS comes in. this is a self service herb station that is proposed to be station at local supermarkets. it is a system where consumers pick out the exact amount of herbs that they require off the plant itself and pay for what they picked. they then place it in a small recycled paper bag and is weighted on check out. when the herb runs low they are rotated to be maintained and regrow the herbs. any died out herbs or damaged containers are returened for maintainence
