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Inside
the Boundary:
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Outside
the Boundary:
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Who is in:
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Who is Not:
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What the Need is:
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What the Need is Not:
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Why the need exists:
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Alternative Explanations:
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Who: My hypothesis is that prototypical customers will be interested in a product that is environmentally safe and protective. However there are certain people that will be interested in the protective aspects of a recyclable mask, but will not care about the environmentally friendly aspect of it. This is because there are already many people polluting by dumping disposable face masks.
What: The need I identified, a recyclable face mask, differs from the need for a compost-able face mask that deteriorates in the environment faster than plastic. Both needs are environmentally friendly and protective, but are different in that recyclable face masks are meant to be recycled rather than dumped.
Why: Outsiders' needs differ from the needs of the Insiders' because the insiders want both a protective face mask as well as it being recyclable. Outsiders' will care only about the functionality or fashion of the mask.
The data I received from interviews backs up my idea that people are interested in a face mask made from recyclable materials. People are becoming aware of the issue that face masks are being dumped into the ocean and environment alarmingly fast due to their high usage. However, I did hear concerns about the safety of a recyclable face mask, since they can still hold onto viruses after they are disposed of.
Hi Alex,
ReplyDeleteThis really goes to both posts solving the problem and testing the hypothesis. I agree with you that a need exists, especially in our current pandemic state, to allow a safe method for recycling and/or sanitizing face masks. It seems everywhere I go lately, people are just discarding used PPE on the ground or in the trash. I want to believe that the majority of people would take advantage of a recycling program for PPE if it was accessible. For healthcare workers- the sanitizing protocol would help, for non-healthcare workers- convenient recycling stations could at least help reduce the amount of trash. I look forward to seeing you develop this idea more.
Hi Alex,
ReplyDeleteThere is no doubt your idea fits a current need and would be highly successful if launched now. The trick will be deciding if this is a long term need that will still exist by the time this could be produced and available for consumption. Given everything we've been going through the past 3 months, I think recyclable masks will be a requirement in the near future. Keep working on this opportunity because you could be ahead of the market on development.
Bridget