Paper-go-round Garden Lab
Basic information
Project Title
Paper-go-round Garden Lab
Full project title
Cultivating Regenerative Nature & Food Education Concept with Plantable Paper
Category
Shaping a circular industrial ecosystem and supporting life-cycle thinking
Project Description
Step into Paper-go-round Garden Lab, where education and sustainability collide in a revolutionary green oasis! We're not just cultivating plants, we're cultivating a mindset.
Redefining approach to agri-food education, we transform post-consumed plantable papers, in a circular manner, not only into nourishment for mind and body, but also into meaningful social contributions where food is shared to the ones in need.
Let's grow a future where education is not just taught but lived.
Redefining approach to agri-food education, we transform post-consumed plantable papers, in a circular manner, not only into nourishment for mind and body, but also into meaningful social contributions where food is shared to the ones in need.
Let's grow a future where education is not just taught but lived.
Geographical Scope
Local
Project Region
Mikkeli, Finland, Finland
Urban or rural issues
It addresses urban-rural linkages
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
EU Programme or fund
No
Description of the project
Summary
Paper-go-round Garden Lab is a circular community garden integrated with a research laboratory, where we upcycle post-consumed plantable papers into food, develop local technology for more plantable initiatives, and have friendly agri food lessons to students below higher education, who are our target. In the first implementation, we would focus on a local high school. Our role in this project is to facilitate co-creation between communities, corporate, and institutions for circular economy through the art of gardening and learning-by-doing.
The aim is to create a closed loop of paper consumption, thus tackling the linear economy model, particularly in Etelä-Savo region. Also, the project would strengthen the sense of root reconnection while enhancing sustainable food security, health, and well-being.
We aim to achieve at least 50% of students in one targeted school using plantable papers for upcycling into food; 20% of fresh ingredients in students’ meals are from our bio-garden lab; and 30% of the yield from Paper-go-round garden would be donated to the needy.
The aim is to create a closed loop of paper consumption, thus tackling the linear economy model, particularly in Etelä-Savo region. Also, the project would strengthen the sense of root reconnection while enhancing sustainable food security, health, and well-being.
We aim to achieve at least 50% of students in one targeted school using plantable papers for upcycling into food; 20% of fresh ingredients in students’ meals are from our bio-garden lab; and 30% of the yield from Paper-go-round garden would be donated to the needy.
Key objectives for sustainability
Paper-go-round project's primary goal is to address various Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) challenges. Its central objective, focused on sustainable consumption and production (SDG 12), lies in the core business model: utilizing plantable paper to establish a circular economy within paper consumption. While used regular paper is repurposed to create plantable paper, after the growing cycle, the seeds from these plants are collected and reused in future plantable paper production. This entire process operates within a closed-loop system.
Another aspect of sustainability targets providing practical education in food and agriculture (SDG 3) to students. In the garden lab, where plantable paper is grown, students can access and observe the processes of cultivating, harvesting, and consuming plant-based food. This activity does not only impart valuable knowledge but also offers a genuine experiential learning opportunity, enhancing student engagement. Through learning by doing, students are equipped with gardening skills, which can assist them in building their own home gardens in the future. Engaging in gardening projects fosters awareness about maintaining a balanced daily diet, rich in vegetables, promoting organic vegetable consumption and sustainable dietary practices (SDG 3), ultimately improving health conditions and reducing the adverse impacts of agriculture.
As an additional effort to foster a high-quality education, Paper-go-round houses a research and development laboratory, serving as a local innovation hub for students keen on experimenting and developing new ideas.
Furthermore, Paper-go-round aspires to be a part of a green city by providing a nature-based public infrastructure that contributes to citizen well-being and enhances air quality (SDG 11). The project also plays a role in supporting food distribution, particularly for those in need, by distributing food to individuals facing food insecurity, thereby aligning with SDG 2.
Another aspect of sustainability targets providing practical education in food and agriculture (SDG 3) to students. In the garden lab, where plantable paper is grown, students can access and observe the processes of cultivating, harvesting, and consuming plant-based food. This activity does not only impart valuable knowledge but also offers a genuine experiential learning opportunity, enhancing student engagement. Through learning by doing, students are equipped with gardening skills, which can assist them in building their own home gardens in the future. Engaging in gardening projects fosters awareness about maintaining a balanced daily diet, rich in vegetables, promoting organic vegetable consumption and sustainable dietary practices (SDG 3), ultimately improving health conditions and reducing the adverse impacts of agriculture.
As an additional effort to foster a high-quality education, Paper-go-round houses a research and development laboratory, serving as a local innovation hub for students keen on experimenting and developing new ideas.
Furthermore, Paper-go-round aspires to be a part of a green city by providing a nature-based public infrastructure that contributes to citizen well-being and enhances air quality (SDG 11). The project also plays a role in supporting food distribution, particularly for those in need, by distributing food to individuals facing food insecurity, thereby aligning with SDG 2.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The Paper-go-round garden lab goes beyond its practical function by adding a touch of beauty to the community. With its nature-inspired design and aesthetic decor, it becomes a focal point in the local area. Furthermore, our core product, plantable paper, can be transformed into items like cards, calendars, and other high-quality paper products that enhance their aesthetic appeal when used.
On the other hand, the quality of the experience is significantly shaped by the lab's infrastructure and the coworking space. Equipped with tools and machines, the lab enhances the experience of studying and conducting research, nurturing the passion for scientific exploration in potential individuals. The coworking space within the garden lab promotes connections, boosts productivity, all while creating a vibrant, green working environment.
On the other hand, the quality of the experience is significantly shaped by the lab's infrastructure and the coworking space. Equipped with tools and machines, the lab enhances the experience of studying and conducting research, nurturing the passion for scientific exploration in potential individuals. The coworking space within the garden lab promotes connections, boosts productivity, all while creating a vibrant, green working environment.
Key objectives for inclusion
Paper-go-round is accessible and affordable: it would be free for public access, with visit tours, events, and workshops. The residents have a chance to do organic gardening, harvest fresh and healthy greens, and make DIY plantable papers together. Simple acts do bring joy. Paper-go-round is especially disability inclusive.
Crafted through a collaborative process, our project inherently embraces the collective perspectives of diverse stakeholders, fostering shared decision-making. Guided by this inclusive ethos, all departments within our organization synergistically reach consensus for decisions. Furthermore, the positive impact of our venture extends beyond primary stakeholders, disseminating its benefits to secondary beneficiaries, including vibrant communities, and those most in need.
Crafted through a collaborative process, our project inherently embraces the collective perspectives of diverse stakeholders, fostering shared decision-making. Guided by this inclusive ethos, all departments within our organization synergistically reach consensus for decisions. Furthermore, the positive impact of our venture extends beyond primary stakeholders, disseminating its benefits to secondary beneficiaries, including vibrant communities, and those most in need.
How Citizens benefit
Students are introduced to the art of upcycling, fostering an understanding of how papers can be repurposed sustainably. Engaging with the innovative process from papers to food, they gain insights into basic food sciences and the principles of embracing local sourced produce. By communal gardening practices, students develop a profound sense of responsibility towards their dietary choices, while applying circular economy in real life. Encouraged to partake in food charity events, they are instilled with the values of social sharing and contribution.
Ensuring access to fundamental needs like food, we support the underprivileged by food charity events with the help of student volunteers, fostering a sense of belonging and unwavering support within our inclusive community network. Our initiative also serves as a platform for citizens to build social engagement and social contribution, thus enhancing their well-being. Through our efforts, we strive to cultivate a quality green space for the residents. Empowering youth volunteers, Paper-go-round offers a pathway for meaningful contribution, providing hands-on experiences that catalyse personal growth and foster a deeper sense of purpose within the community.
Ensuring access to fundamental needs like food, we support the underprivileged by food charity events with the help of student volunteers, fostering a sense of belonging and unwavering support within our inclusive community network. Our initiative also serves as a platform for citizens to build social engagement and social contribution, thus enhancing their well-being. Through our efforts, we strive to cultivate a quality green space for the residents. Empowering youth volunteers, Paper-go-round offers a pathway for meaningful contribution, providing hands-on experiences that catalyse personal growth and foster a deeper sense of purpose within the community.
Physical or other transformations
It refers to a physical transformation of the built environment (hard investment)
Innovative character
In terms of sustainability, compared to traditional garden models, Paper-go-round emphasizes the importance of circular gardening practices by upcycling post-consumer plantable papers into food and plants, collecting seeds for producing new paper, and closing the loop by distributing the papers for educational use. Food security is also an objective of the garden lab, with the distribution of harvested plants to the community.
In terms of inclusion, the garden lab has an outstanding feature of incorporating quality education by providing food and agricultural outdoor lessons for students and lab space for everyone who’s interested. The establishment of the garden lab involves the engagement of various expertises, encompassing education, food & agriculture, management, and engineering.
To advance the aesthetics sensitivity and experience quality of a traditional garden, Paper-go-round reserves nature-based coworking spaces in the garden and equips the laboratory with essential machines that add value by the power of research.
In terms of inclusion, the garden lab has an outstanding feature of incorporating quality education by providing food and agricultural outdoor lessons for students and lab space for everyone who’s interested. The establishment of the garden lab involves the engagement of various expertises, encompassing education, food & agriculture, management, and engineering.
To advance the aesthetics sensitivity and experience quality of a traditional garden, Paper-go-round reserves nature-based coworking spaces in the garden and equips the laboratory with essential machines that add value by the power of research.
Disciplines/knowledge reflected
Paper-go-round embraces interdisciplinary and co-creation. Public relations and communication are our key disciplines to effective engagement while supplementing all other departments: our representatives collaborate closely with stakeholders, fostering enduring partnerships for knowledge exchange in gardening and agri food education, for plantable papers distribution and promotion.
Project management and coordination are in charge of our functionality and practicalities. They would support the other departments for internal and external communication documents, coordinate the daily function of the garden lab, equipping the laboratory, and execute lessons and visits for students and residents.
Being among the core of our impact, the agriculture and food education department would design and deliver the educational programs, fostering a deep connection with students as we collectively sow the seeds of agricultural and culinary knowledge. This department could be supported from other NGOs’ knowledge exchange, or from in-house gardening department for hands-on knowledge.
Our “friendly farmers” - gardening department takes care of our garden, while they also join in the lessons to guide students in green experiments and practices, helping their fellow educators.
While functioning the garden lab and maintaining the mainstream distribution of plantable papers, we would like to develop our in-house technology to produce our own paper supply and design so many more initiatives with the same plantable concept. That’s why we built a garden lab. We need the material engineering department to do research and development, design plantable products from used materials and seeds in our garden with the highest quality.
Project management and coordination are in charge of our functionality and practicalities. They would support the other departments for internal and external communication documents, coordinate the daily function of the garden lab, equipping the laboratory, and execute lessons and visits for students and residents.
Being among the core of our impact, the agriculture and food education department would design and deliver the educational programs, fostering a deep connection with students as we collectively sow the seeds of agricultural and culinary knowledge. This department could be supported from other NGOs’ knowledge exchange, or from in-house gardening department for hands-on knowledge.
Our “friendly farmers” - gardening department takes care of our garden, while they also join in the lessons to guide students in green experiments and practices, helping their fellow educators.
While functioning the garden lab and maintaining the mainstream distribution of plantable papers, we would like to develop our in-house technology to produce our own paper supply and design so many more initiatives with the same plantable concept. That’s why we built a garden lab. We need the material engineering department to do research and development, design plantable products from used materials and seeds in our garden with the highest quality.
Methodology used
Paper-go-round is committed to social innovation, engaging communities in promoting a circular economy, expanding hands-on education in food and agriculture, and improving community well-being and healthcare systems. This innovative approach attributes to two functional strategies: product innovation and service innovation. We harness the potential of plantable paper on a community scale, repurposing used paper and seeds. In addition, our Garden Lab redefines traditional gardens, incorporating sustainability-focused services such as educational programs and open research laboratories.
To implement the project, we apply the PDCA (Plan - Do - Check - Act) improvement framework. In the planning phase, we establish clear objectives, including achieving a circular paper economy and enhancing agricultural education. We define key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure our success, such as educational program effectiveness and plantable paper utilization. During execution, we carry out our plan, involving the introduction of plantable paper and the establishment of the Garden Lab. Effective communication and budget monitoring are essential.
In the checking phase, we continuously collect and analyze project performance data, comparing it with our KPIs. In the acting phase, we take corrective actions when necessary and share insights with our team and stakeholders for ongoing improvement. Successful outcomes and feedback may lead to project expansion. This PDCA cycle ensures a continuous enhancement of our project.
To implement the project, we apply the PDCA (Plan - Do - Check - Act) improvement framework. In the planning phase, we establish clear objectives, including achieving a circular paper economy and enhancing agricultural education. We define key performance indicators (KPIs) to measure our success, such as educational program effectiveness and plantable paper utilization. During execution, we carry out our plan, involving the introduction of plantable paper and the establishment of the Garden Lab. Effective communication and budget monitoring are essential.
In the checking phase, we continuously collect and analyze project performance data, comparing it with our KPIs. In the acting phase, we take corrective actions when necessary and share insights with our team and stakeholders for ongoing improvement. Successful outcomes and feedback may lead to project expansion. This PDCA cycle ensures a continuous enhancement of our project.
How stakeholders are engaged
On the local level, Paper-go-round engages with educational institutions, student councils, individuals in need, employees, volunteers, and potentially local farmers. To implement our circular model in schools, schools and student councils are essential in promoting the widespread use of plantable papers for academic and administrative purposes and actively involving students in the program. Potential employees and volunteers, each with their unique expertise, contribute to the project in terms of gardening, coordinating educational and charity events, and developing in-house technology. Moreover, the involvement of local farmers is valuable for educating students about food and agriculture. As mentioned earlier, the engagement of students and individuals in need is also critical for the project's success.
On the regional and national level, authorities play a vital role in facilitating the planning and construction of the garden lab and promoting the project's community-wide benefits and events. Social organizations encompassing various industries, such as food, agriculture, sustainability, education, and food charity, contribute to knowledge exchange within the garden lab's operations and the organization of educational and social programs.
On the European level, Paper-go-round collaborates with plantable paper providers to obtain customized supplies tailored to local needs and seasonal requirements, as well as securing potential sponsors for events.
On the regional and national level, authorities play a vital role in facilitating the planning and construction of the garden lab and promoting the project's community-wide benefits and events. Social organizations encompassing various industries, such as food, agriculture, sustainability, education, and food charity, contribute to knowledge exchange within the garden lab's operations and the organization of educational and social programs.
On the European level, Paper-go-round collaborates with plantable paper providers to obtain customized supplies tailored to local needs and seasonal requirements, as well as securing potential sponsors for events.
Global challenges
The primary challenge we are addressing is climate change and sustainable consumption, particularly within the pulp and paper industry. The unsustainable use of paper products results in substantial waste generation, especially when paper is single-use and discarded. The disposal of paper in landfills leads to organic matter decomposition, producing methane, contributing to global warming. Additionally, paper production is energy-intensive, consuming significant energy and water. In worst cases, paper mills depend on non-renewable energy sources and employ unsustainable paper production that depletes forests and natural resources, fueling deforestation and ecosystem disruption, reducing their ability to retain carbon.
Another challenge is the lack of understanding, especially among the new generation, in agriculture and soil science, which reflects a disconnect between them and their food sources. Because of being raised in urban or technology-driven environments, they may lack basic knowledge of agriculture, including crop cultivation, soil health, and sustainable farming. This knowledge gap can contribute to the neglect of sustainable agriculture, perpetuating harmful farming practices.
The third major challenge concerns food insecurity and unsustainable agriculture. As per the United Nations (2022), approximately 690 million people, roughly 9% of the global population, suffered from chronic hunger. On the other hand, intensive agricultural practices and chemical usage contribute to environmental harm, ultimately destabilising the food distribution system.
Another challenge is the lack of understanding, especially among the new generation, in agriculture and soil science, which reflects a disconnect between them and their food sources. Because of being raised in urban or technology-driven environments, they may lack basic knowledge of agriculture, including crop cultivation, soil health, and sustainable farming. This knowledge gap can contribute to the neglect of sustainable agriculture, perpetuating harmful farming practices.
The third major challenge concerns food insecurity and unsustainable agriculture. As per the United Nations (2022), approximately 690 million people, roughly 9% of the global population, suffered from chronic hunger. On the other hand, intensive agricultural practices and chemical usage contribute to environmental harm, ultimately destabilising the food distribution system.
Learning transferred to other parties
The model of regional or local plantable paper supply and resources sharing can be readily replicated, serving as a blueprint for fostering eco-conscious practices worldwide. In the future, when we successfully develop our in-house technology, we could be the local suppliers for the region and even in the whole country of Finland.
Our Garden Lab is highly adaptable: Its design and versatile functionalities can be seamlessly transferred to various geographical locations and communities, providing a nurturing space for hands-on learning and fostering a deeper connection with nature, irrespective of the local context.
Our Agri-Food Educational Program sets an initiative for a more holistic approach to knowledge dissemination. This model and approach of the program, with some more tailored to specific geographical situations and targets, can be effectively replicated to empower communities worldwide, fostering a deeper understanding of sustainable food practices and encouraging a shift towards mindful consumption and cultivation.
Our Garden Lab is highly adaptable: Its design and versatile functionalities can be seamlessly transferred to various geographical locations and communities, providing a nurturing space for hands-on learning and fostering a deeper connection with nature, irrespective of the local context.
Our Agri-Food Educational Program sets an initiative for a more holistic approach to knowledge dissemination. This model and approach of the program, with some more tailored to specific geographical situations and targets, can be effectively replicated to empower communities worldwide, fostering a deeper understanding of sustainable food practices and encouraging a shift towards mindful consumption and cultivation.
Keywords
Circular economy
Local food supply
Plantable paper
Garden lab
Food & agriculture education
