I'm Jocelynn, a multidisciplinary creative with an interest in sustainability and homeware product design. I see design as an act of responsibility—the things we create do not exist in isolation. Because of that, I aim to design with intention, creating pieces that are beautiful, thoughtful, and conscious of their place in a larger ecosystem of people, environment, and culture.
traced takes paper to the next level, with sheets made out of produce waste and different types of recycled paper. The project bridges sustainable design principles, research, and making practices to transform waste into purposeful material outcomes.
About traced
Reinventing printing, turning waste into worth. We collect food waste from local markets and cafés and transform it into paper products, giving discarded materials a new life and purpose. 100% organic and compostable artisan paper sheets made out of the overlooked remnants of Victoria's kitchens.
Background
Underpinned by life cycle assessments and research on waste data in Australia, traced addresses two main ongoing issues: the unsustainable use of virgin wood pulp in modern paper manufacturing processes and the increasing volume of food and produce disposed of, particularly within Victoria.
Processes
traced's papermaking process is free from chemical additives, yet our sheets maintain strong structural integrity and unique surface quality. The food and recycled paper pulp blend is combined with a natural mucilage derived from okra, which acts as an organic binding agent. The pulp mixture is poured into a vat of water and evenly strained using a mould and deckle to form sheets. Each sheet is then pressed to remove excess moisture and left to dry naturally.
Our product collection includes paper products made out of orange peels, tea leaves, cabbage, onion skin, mixed fruit pulp, and more. No two sheets are the same—each has their own unique colour and texture to them due to the varying nature of the food waste used. traced paper can also be used for business cards, notebook covers, and even lampshades! Suitable for writing, drawing, origami, and different kinds of printing.
The traced website is a centralised collaborative platform that brings together transparent product information, sustainability values, and community engagement. It features a Community Hub where users can share their own experiences with our paper and co-design with us. Furthermore, they can opt to join the mail-back recycling program in which they can send used traced paper back in exchange for store credit and help us close the loop.
As part of our mission to educate on sustainability, traced holds workshops independently and in partnership with local schools on papermaking techniques and proper end-of-life treatment. By having hands-on engagement, these workshops build environmental literacy and inspire more conscious approaches to making, consuming, and discarding everyday materials.
In the spirit of reconciliation Monash University acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.
