available for work
PRODUCT DESIGN CASE STUDY
Canetainers
Sustainable packaging for a circular future
My Role
UX/UI Design, Branding & Video Production 100%
Tools
Figma, Illustrator, Photoshop, Premiere Pro & Procreate
Time Frame
8 Weeks
Canetainers is a sugarcane-based takeaway packaging brand and mobile application that promotes a circular, recyclable system to reduce environmental impact. Beyond offering sustainable packaging, the app encourages users to build better recycling habits, creating a seamless connection between product use and responsible behaviour.
Through this integration, Canetainers aims to make sustainability accessible, actionable, and part of everyday life.
DESIGN SUMMARY
Many mass-produced goods follow a linear “take, make, waste” model.
On average, one person makes 65 take-away transactions per year. The total annual transactions is 1.6 billion
So this project aims to reduce unsustainable practices in the packaging industry and shift the linear model to a circular system.
BACKGROUND
DESIGN PROCESS
DISCOVER
DEFINE
IDEATE
DELIVER
DISCOVER
Research 01
Reward-Based Systems
Global examples like RePack and JD.com show how reward-based systems successfully motivate consumers to engage in sustainable behaviors.
(Reusable Packaging: The Sustainable Future, 2020)
Insight 01
A reward-based system makes
sustainable actions more motivating
Insight 02
Design should balance eco-friendliness with durability to meet audience expectations.
Research 02
Consumer Priorities
for Sustainability
Consumers see sustainable products as biodegradable, recycled, responsibly sourced and minimal, but prioritize durability and repairability when buying.
(Deloitte, 2021)
Insight 03
Consumers are motivated to change, indicating potential for adoption of sustainable alternatives.
Research 03
Reducing Single-Use Plastic
In the last 12 months, 64% of consumers have limited their consumption of single-use plastic.
(Deloitte, 2021)
Desk Research & Insights
DEFINE
Background
- Education graduate
- Aspiring high school teacher
- Supported by parents, wants independence
- Independence, teaching career, community contribution
- Positive, sustainability-driven, avoids waste of resources, money, and time
Goals
& Values
- Wastefulness
- Inefficient use of resources
Challenges
June (22)
Background
- Second-year Industrial Design student
- Aspiring product designer
- Lives with mother, contributes to rent
- Achieve financial independence
- Gain experience in design and secure a well-paid job
- Somewhat cares about the environment but prioritizes career and income
Goals
& Values
- Slow income growth
- Frustration with slow career progress
Challenges
Rebecca (19)
Background
- Business graduate, recently founded a restaurant
- Plans to franchise and buy a house
- Lives alone, initially supported by parents
- Grow business and achieve financial success
- Minimal focus on environmental sustainability
Goals
& Values
- Wasting money
- Disorganization
- Working with “lazy” people
Challenges
Michael (25)
Personas
Empathy Map
How might we
transform the linear use cycle of
traditional food packaging
into a sustainable circular system?
“
”
01 Map page for recycling points
The mobile app shows where and how to recycle canetainers to ensure the consumers have the knowledge and will be more likely to commit.
03 About us page shows the main goal of the canetainer
The canetainer app provides the information about the background of the brand which can enhance user’s un- derstanding of the goal of canetainer.
We reward the users with incentives and positive feedback that they can see on their recycle counts in order to boost confidence and support positive habit formation of sustainable habits.
02 Reward system supports
positive habit formation
Main Features
DESIGN PROCESS
How
Circular Use
Works in Canetainers
Sugarcane
Cultivation
Manufacturing
Containers
Download the
Canetainers
App
Use and Dispose of
Biodegradable
Containers
Reintegration into Nature
Circular use in Caintainers
Solutions
Solution 01
It’s non-toxic, durable, and safe for microwave, oven, and freezer use, while helping reduce landfill waste and emissions.
(bonson, n.d.)
Material Choice
– Sugarcane-Based Packaging
Solution 02
Users can return used containers to collection points and receive rewards, turning eco-friendly behaviour into a rewarding habit
Reward System
– Circular Use & Motivation
DELIVERY
full logo
symbol
app icon
logo variation
Branding & Logo
Designed with minimal shapes and a pastel colour palette, the icon aims to be both simple and elegant, reflecting the product’s natural and sustainable qualities.
Pastel colours were chosen to convey a sense of calmness, purity, and approachability—aligning with the eco-friendly and health-conscious values of the brand.
Colours
Pastel colours were chosen to convey a sense of calmness, purity, and approachability—aligning with the eco-friendly and health-conscious values of the brand.
colour palette
#588061
#869F77
#FDE9EA
#F9E0DB
#E7B5AC
UI Design
Colours
Primary Colour
#F9E0DB
#588061
#F3F3F3
Gray Scale
#FFFFFF
#3D3D3D
#000000
System Colour
#C8CEC1
Font
Poppins
Get 50 cents
Semibold
back with ever
Medium
food container.
Regular
Yeeun [Jezz] Hong
Digital Product Designer
©2025 All rights reserved