2021 Edition

‘Cheer Project’ is a research on pine needles in which this abundant, overlooked andunwanted material is developed into a 100% bio-based, recyclable and compostable biocomposite material. Himachal Pradesh is a state of India that is at the foothills of the Himalayas. It is knownfor its quaint valleys and snow-covered mountains. Most of this beauty is made by thepine forest, with a cover of about forty thousand square kilometres. But the state isfacing menacing environmental complications caused by the fallen leaves of pinetrees called pine needles. The imbalance caused by these needles has a huge impacton life and the entire ecosystem that far exceeds our imagination. From forest fires, water scarcity to unemployment. Beneath the surface, something huge has gone wrong and has not grabbed anyone’s attention but we can all feel its effect in ourdaily lives.Cheer Project offers a sustainable and socially-viable solution to the environmental hazards caused by an over abundance of dried pine needles on the forest floor.Through a holistic approach, Cheer Project’s production process unveils the dormantpotential of pine needles while also empowering indigenous communities by creatinglivelihood opportunities for them. The proposed modus operandi is circular: rawmaterial is procured by indigenous communities from nearby pine forests, thecollected needles are then processed into a fiber with locally-built, low-costmachinery, this pine fibre is further mixed with natural binders to make the pinecomposite. The developed composition is 100% bio-based, compostable, recyclable,fire retardant, water repellent and causes no pollution or waste in the process. This bio-composite material can be used by local artisans to manufacture sustainable products and revenue generated through their sale will further strengthen the ruraleconomy while restoring the pride of the locals in their work.The fight against plastic pollution is juxtaposed against the endeavor to sustainably support stakeholder communities. Cheer Project seeks to democratize the process ofproblem-solving through design. The ultimate concept rests on the fusion of local craftsmanship and sustainable utilization of a naturally abundant novel material; there discovery of the humble pine needle.