GULP PRODUCTS - iBFL - Proof Of Concept of a digital Intelligent 'Bag For Life'

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Bag for Life (BFL), is a shopping bag reused several times. An alternative of single-use paperor plastic carrier bags, it's often made from Jute, Cotton, Juco or Hessian. If ethicallyproduced, BFL presented opportunity for positive impact on the planet. However, of the380billion retail plastic bags used/yr in USA, just 2.5% (9.7billion) have been replaced by aBFL– arguably because they're not fit for purpose. The BFL simply duplicated the loadcarrying function of a plastic bag, and relied on social moral drivers to bring aboutenvironmental change. But BFL did not offer users additional functionality or ‘wow’ factors,and failed to seize the opportunity to address ergonomic and associated long term healthissues that result from carrying unbalanced shopping bags (plastic or otherwise) with extendedarms. As a result the BFL has become a disposable product with a limited lifespan. Youngershoppers now often use rucksacks owing to their better ergonomics, but their design does notsuit grocery shopping.BFL have several limitations. Medical Mycologists report BFL lead to food poisoning, andincreased risk of food borne illness (up to 50% contain coliform, and 12% E. coli) becauseBFL cannot be easily washed. Further, Ergonomists and Physiotherapists warn that their usecan injure neck, back, shoulders, because they distort natural curve of spine (leading toserious injuries such as herniated discs, accelerated cervical spine degeneration, and tractioninjury of the brachial plexus (causing shoulder/arm numbness). Treatment costs approx 0.2%of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in the EU. Our study shows 15% could be the result ofinappropriate carrying of groceries. Functionally, consumers complain that BFL offer only 1foodcompartment, forcing fragile, fresh and heavy items, in addition to hot and frozen products, toreside together.This project seeks to demonstrate Proof of Concept of a Intelligent BFL (iBFL) that addressesknown limitations in BFL and rucksacks