We are currently living during an environmental crisis. As people start to become more aware of the condition our planet is in, there becomes more of a need for environmentally friendly products. Specifically, there is an unmet need for grocery bags that are biodegradable. Anyone who cares about helping reduce the amount of plastic waste in the world has a need for this, since we know how bad plastic grocery bags are for the environment. The problem of plastic waste has been an issue for a while, however, it’s recently been brought to more people’s attention. Some people have already taken steps to fix this problem by bringing reusable bags to the store with them, but not everyone is willing to purchase them. A disposable bag that is biodegradable and could be given to customers in place of plastic grocery bags is a more practical solution, and I would say I’m 99% sure this opportunity exists.
The protypical customer in this case would be grocery stores, since they would be supplying the bags. I called the corporate offices of Publix, Wholefoods, and Earth Fare, but couldn’t get anyone to participate in an interview. So, I interviewed three people who grocery shop and care about the environment
Interview 1
Would you say you have a need for an environmentally-friendly way to transport groceries?
“Yes, I rely on plastic bags too much even though I’m aware that plastic waste can have detrimental effects on the environment.
When did you become aware of this need?
“Just recently after I took an environmental studies class and learned just how bad plastic is for the earth.”
How long have you had the need?
“I guess I’ve had this need since the first time I ever bought groceries I just didn’t know it.”
How are you currently addressing this need?
“Sometimes I carry out my groceries without using a bag at all”
How satisfied are you with this solution?
“It works sometimes, but other times I drop groceries”
Interview 2
Would you say you have a need for an environmentally-friendly way to transport groceries?
“Yes, I always want to cut down plastic use.”
When did you become aware of this need?
“Many years ago when I started recycling.”
How long have you had the need?
“Since I first had kids and started grocery shopping regularly. Ever since then I’ve had plastic grocery bags all over my house and I’m sorry to say many of them ended up in the garbage.”
How are you currently addressing this need?
“I use reusable bags when I go to the grocery store.”
How satisfied are you with this solution?
“I’m satisfied with this solution, but I do forget my bags sometimes and have to use plastic bags.”
Interview 3
Would you say you have a need for an environmentally-friendly way to transport groceries?
“Yes, plastic grocery bags don’t decompose for hundreds of years and that has serious consequences for the environment.”
When did you become aware of this need?
“Several years ago it became obvious that single use plastic is a problem in this country.”
How long have you had the need?
“I’ve personally had the need since I started grocery shopping for myself.”
How are you currently addressing this need?
“I try to remember to bring reusable bags to the grocery store.”
How satisfied are you with this solution?
“My memory isn’t the best so I forget my bags a lot of the time, but other than that the solution works.”
I learned that my opportunity does indeed exist, since everyone I interviewed said they had a need for an environmentally-friendly way to transport groceries. The most surprising thing I learned about my opportunity is that it really applies to everyone who goes grocery shopping, which is a lot of people!
Almost all of my original opportunity is still there, because the customers didn’t really tell me anything I didn’t already know. I was already aware that people use reusable bags as a solution for plastic waste, however, people are bound to forget their bags sometimes. Therefore, the opportunity for a disposable alternative still exists. I believe entrepreneurs should definitely adapt their opportunities to customer needs, because they are the ones that will be buying the eventual product that comes from an opportunity.
