From Use to End-of-Life: A Systemic Design Approach to Agricultural Plastic Waste in Ghana
Focusing on maintenance practices and recycling systems
N.H. Meijer (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
L.A.G. Kolks – Graduation committee member (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
F.P.A.M. Taminiau – Mentor (TU Delft - Industrial Design Engineering)
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Abstract
Agriculture plays an important role within Ghanaian society and economy, yet many farming activities remain dependent on seasonal rainfall. Drip irrigation systems offer opportunities for year-round farming, but also introduce challenges related to maintenance, accessibility, costs and agricultural plastic waste. Plastics such as drip tapes and plastic mulch increasingly contribute to waste-related challenges, as sustainable disposal alternatives currently remain inaccessible or unsuitable within the practical realities of the Ghanaian farming context. At the same time, the research revealed that economic value plays an important role in motivating farmers to adopt new systems.
The project was conducted in collaboration with the ACHI program, an educational farming initiative established through a collaboration between Kwadaso Agricultural College (KAC), Holland Greentech (HGT) and Delft University of Technology. Through literature research and various design activities, the research explored the broader system surrounding drip irrigation and agricultural plastics in Ghana.
Using systems thinking and iterative system mapping, the research revealed both the complexity of the issue and opportunities for intervention. The findings demonstrated that challenges surrounding drip irrigation systems are interconnected and influenced by maintenance behavior, communication, educational structures, infrastructural limitations, financial accessibility and waste management systems. As the project progressed, the focus shifted from solving isolated challenges towards identifying broader systemic opportunities for intervention. Based on these insights, several design directions were explored related to irrigation maintenance, agricultural plastic waste management and farmer support systems.
The project resulted in two design interventions addressing irrigation maintenance and agricultural plastic waste management within the educational farming context of KAC. Overall, the project demonstrates how systems thinking and design research can contribute to developing more sustainable and context-sensitive approaches towards irrigation maintenance and agricultural plastic waste management within the Ghanaian context.