9A – Testing the Hypothesis, Part 2

Interviews:

• I interviewed 5 people who should technically have the need for biodegradable plastic straw and bag replacements but do not. 

1. For my first interview, I interviewed my friend who is all about being eco-friendly but does not have this need. She only uses reusable cloth bags and reusable straws/cups. When she goes to places that are affected by the plastic ban, such as local coffee shops, she brings her own cups and straws and when she goes to grocery stores, she brings reusable containers for items such as peanut butter. She said she likes the concept and thinks it would be great for consumers who are not cognizant of their impact on the environment, but she does not see it being something she needs since her methods already work for her.
2. For my second interview, I interviewed one of my friends who is a big advocate for recycling. She loved the concept of a biodegradable straw and plastic bags because she could see it becoming the new "go-to" solution for the current plastic crisis. However, she has taken steps to nearly eliminate plastic from her daily life and has adapted to not using straws and bags at all. She has gotten used to her new routine and doesn't think she should change it because no waste is even better than a biodegradable waste.
3. For my third interview, I interviewed my friend who works at, and frequently shops at Whole Foods. For him, working in an environment that promotes sustainability, he never really has a plastic issue. Whole Foods does not use plastic bags or plastic straws, they stick with paper. Of course, paper straws are not sturdy and plastic bags tend to rip but he said he doesn't mind doubling up on paper bags. 
4. For my fourth interview, I interviewed my friend who works at a small coffee shop. She doesn't have the need for straws because the only time she would theoretically need one (when buying a coffee drink/cold drink) she has glassware at the coffee shop. She usually only gets drinks that would otherwise require straws but since she is not on-the-go and has glassware at work, she felt she wouldn't really need these items.
5. For my last interview, I interviewed my friend who lives in an off-campus apartment and frequently grocery shops. She said as great as a biodegradable plastic replacement would be, she couldn't see herself using them. She usually either gets paper bags or uses reusable bags and she mentioned the dreaded plastic bag pile almost everybody has in their house. For her, although the bags would be eco-friendly, she wouldn't want to have to deal with the disposal of it since she wouldn't necessarily just toss it outside when she doesn't want it.

Conclusions:

• Who: There are certain businesses that have a lot in common with others in my opportunity yet fall outside the boundary. Large scale companies that already offer paper alternatives or have already found a replacement to the plastic ban may not be quick to join onto the new biodegradable product trend because they already have something functional in place. 
• What: The need I identified differs from the general need of a biodegradable eco-friendly plastic replacement because the need I identified is a durable replacement. The issue with current replacements such as paper is that it rips easily or turns to mush when wet. What I am describing is a single-use product that would not harm the environment, and would be strong enough to keep consumers satisfied.
• Why: I think there is not really a difference between the underlying cause of the outsiders' needs and the insiders' needs. They both are looking for a replacement to plastic products, and some have found some which are substantial to them but not others.

Inside the boundary	Outside the boundary
Who is in: Consumers and businesses impacted by the plastic bag/straw ban who do not have a current replacement that is satisfactory	Who is out: Consumers and businesses that did not use plastic to begin with such as supermarkets who have only ever used paper products and consumers who use reusable bags and straws.
What the need is: A single-use replacement to single-use plastic bags and straws that is durable. It needs to replace plastic with consumers noticing little to no change to their routine.	What the need is not: The need is not to give the consumers and businesses a plastic alternative since they already have been using alternatives for a long time.
Why the need exists: Cities are banning single-use plastic bags and straws and paper alternatives are not as durable as plastic. More and more cities are banning plastic leaving consumers and businesses struggling to find eco-friendly alternatives.	Alternative explanations: They don’t have the need for the single-use products since they are used to using reusable items. Should they choose to start using single-use products again, then the need would be relevant.