Member Article

By Gum - That's A Bright Idea

Chewing gum on pavements could be a thing of the past if a bright idea from Northumbria University students becomes reality.

The idea for chewing gum packaging which incorporates a wrapper for the used gum was amongst the prize-winning designs in a sustainability project organised by Northumbria University’s School of Design and Chester-le-Street Council. The idea, which is the brainchild of Matthew Keeble, 19, of York, John Carmichael, 21 and Sam Morris, 19, both of Leeds, and Adam Ismail, 19, of Hebburn, South Tyneside, shared second place in the competition with a combined clothing hanger and bag made out of cardboard.

Known as “Hangbag’’, the hanger would be used to display clothes in stores but would then convert into a bag for the customer to take home and re-convert into a hanger. Its designers - David Pinder, 20, of Hebburn, Jaxon Douglass of Sunderland, Sarah Hellewell, of North Yorkshire and Chris Barker of Whickam - now plan to approach the high street with their revolutionary idea. First place in the project went to Gavin Flowers of Newton Aycliffe and Danny Cane of Brighton for their concept of a totally recyclable shower gel container. Councillor Geoff Armstrong, Chair of the Chester-le-Street Council’s Green Communities scrutiny panel, said: “It excites me to share in the enthusiasm and creativity of the students. Innovative design is much needed to tackle the complex issue of creating a more sustainable environment for future generations to enjoy.’’

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .