From forgotten leftovers in our kitchens to huge heaps of discarded food at events, 'The Waste Side Story' by WRI India reveals how small actions by consumers can create BIG impacts and help reduce food waste at scale.
We created this fun, animated story to learn a quick recipe of reducing food waste with the smallest of actions. Through humour, humanity, and hope, Waste Side Story shows that reducing food waste is not only possible, it’s something each of us can proudly do. Whether it’s saving that last bite, sharing surplus, or simply planning better, the film inspires everyday steps that add up to big change.
Storyboard
Challenge
One of our biggest challenges was crafting a visual style that authentically represented India’s diverse population, without suggesting any specific caste, demographic, political leaning, or gender bias.
Solution
Hence we were very intentional in designing both the characters and the backgrounds. The environments were intentionally balanced to avoid appearing too rural or too urban, striking a neutral yet relatable tone. For the character development, we went with a silhouette-inspired style with very minimal details, which felt universal. Close-up compositions were used wherever possible to emphasize emotion without revealing defining traits. We used a vibrant yet earthy color palette, grounded in Indian aesthetics and inspired by the country’s rich diversity,
its abundance of food and culture.
Styleframes
Character Development
The Waste Side Story very well explains the causes and impact of food waste on the environment,
and demonstrates how we could reduce and manage the same for a brighter future.
