From Pollution to Solution: Designing a convenient, plastic-free spray bottle

Plastic pollution is a critical issue, with only 9% of plastic recycled. As part of UC Berkeley’s “Deplastify the Planet” course, the team designed a 100% plastic-free, circular spray bottle for Grove Collaborative using stainless steel and silicone. This innovative solution won the Collider Cup X and is being prepared for mass production.

Food sovereignty: Working with the Native American community in Ukiah

On November 1, 2021, our CARES team visited the Pinoleville Pomo Nation (PPN) in Ukiah, California, collaborating on sustainable Food, Energy, and Water Systems (FEWS). Through co-design principles, we supported PPN’s food sovereignty efforts, cultural reclamation, and youth education, fostering trust and inspiring future sustainable innovations in marginalized communities.