Can this simple kirigami design help solve our plastic problems?

A sustainable alternative for cushioning fragile packages is replacing ecologically detrimental materials like styrofoam packing peanuts, bubble wrap, and air-filled plastic bags. The credit goes to an ingenious design inspired by kirigami, “origami’s lesser-known cousin.”

Can this piece of paper revolutionize human waste? AsapSCIENCE‘s Mitch Moffit explains the paper engineering behind this industry shift:

“It’s simply a variation that allows you to use cuts in the paper, and these cuts can help to produce some really magnificent 3D shapes, including those cards you’ve probably seen that pop up with complex designs when you open them.

“But what makes kirigami so special is that it allows you to deploy three-dimensional shapes from flat material without the need for complex folding. And when you have brilliant minds discovering the right shapes and cut patterns, the implications can be massive.”

See how designer Tom Corrigan worked with Tension Activated Kirigami (TAK) patterns to invent Cushion Lock. The honeycomb-like paper product, capable of handling substantial forces while remaining flexible enough to wrap around objects, features interlocking ridged edges that eliminate the need for scissors and tape. The product, made from 100% recycled paper, also starts flat, reducing the cost of production, shipping, and storage space.

And, of course, the end-product uses zero plastic, helping to address the planet’s plastic problem. From 3M:

“Cushion Lock stores flat on the roll, using up to 80% less storage space compared to traditional plastic cushion wrap. In addition, each 1,000-foot roll of Cushion Lock offsets up to nine pounds of plastic compared to traditional cushion wrap solutions, making the product well-positioned to help 3M reach its goal of reducing dependence on virgin fossil-based plastic by 125 million pounds by 2025.”

Explore some origami engineering, then watch these handpicked videos:
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