Topic: Alternative

Tômtex

Material From Chitin and Coffee Grounds – Tômtex makes leather from seafood waste and used coffee grounds. Seafood shells contain a large amount of chitin, which promotes biodegradability of the material. After preparation, the raw materials are refined with a layer of beeswax. Sealing ensures the water resistance of the material and allows individual surface texture. This allows design patterns such[...]

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Gone

Compostable Disposable Packaging – As a result of the environmental impact following sporting events, Lizzie Wright developed the concept of Gone. She was looking for a solution that would replace the plastic packaging of energy gels while being biodegradable. After consumption, athletes can throw “Gone” on the street or in nature without polluting it. The material, which consists[...]

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MILK MaterialLab Gone Lizzi Wright MILK-MaterialLab-Gone-Lizzi-Wright-9

Biotrem

Wheat Bran Disposable Tableware – Growing up in a family that had already been running a mill for decades, Jerzy Wysocki decided to give the residual product of grain milling, wheat bran, a use. He developed a natural material from the grain shell and a small amount of water, which is suitable for use as disposable tableware by hot[...]

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MILK MaterialLab Biotrem Geschirr aus Weizenkleie MILK-MaterialLab-Biotrem-Geschirr-aus-Weizenkleie-6

Changhua

Loofah Bottle Packaging – During a stay in Taiwan, designer Dorian Etienne developed a bottle packaging from a regional product, the gourd plant “loofah”. The natural fibers obtained from them multiply quickly and have high durability. Since the spongy pumpkin has shock-absorbing properties, the material is particularly suitable for transport packaging. Thanks to the loofah material, the bottle[...]

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MILK MaterialLab Changhua Dorian Etienne

Totomoxtle

Corn Material – Totomoxtle is a new type of veneer material made from Mexican corn husks. The purple, red as well as cream corn grains give a unique design to the lamps, wall coverings, cans and tables. Fernando Laposse‘s goal here is to preserve jobs and safeguard the agricultural diversity of his home country. With the declining[...]

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MILK MaterialLab Totomoxtle Fernando Laposse

That’s Caffeine

Furnishings From Recycled Coffee Scraps – Atticus Durnell recycles coffee scraps by making furnishings such as lamps, plates and even tiles from them. By pressing these remains with resin, completely biodegradable products succeed. Subsequent sealing provides individual color in addition to water and temperature resistance. The idea of the Briton gives the previously unused waste a new functionality and thus[...]

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MILK MaterialLab ThatsCaffeine Atticus Durnell

Pinepac

Packing From Pine Needles – Pinepac, the winner of the 2017 International Packaging Contest in the Material category, is a package made of pine needles and resin. To produce them, the plants are crushed and mixed with the organic binder resin. The resulting mixture is then pressed into molds, which consist of salt, flour, sunflower oil and water. Subsequent[...]

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MILK MaterialLab PinePac Lina Petersson Arina Pauli MILK-MaterialLab-PinePac-Lina Petersson-Arina Pauli-4

MarinaTex

Packaging Substance From Fish Waste and Red Algae – Product design student Lucy Huges’ project at the University of Sussex involves developing a novel packaging solution that is sustainable and biodegradable. More than 100 experiments required the material called MarinaTex, which is made from the agar of red algae and the proteins of fish waste. The natural raw materials of the oceans are[...]

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MILK MaterialLab Marinatex Folie MILK-MaterialLab-Marinatex-Folie-2

Highlight Hemp

Luminaires From Ecological Remains – High Society Studio 5-piece lamp collection is produced exclusively from ecological leftovers. Materials are sourced from regional small businesses and processed using renewable energy. In the process, lights are created from hemp, tobacco, leftovers from viticulture or from hops as well as coffee residues. The Italian products are biodegradable and can easily be returned[...]

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MILK MaterialLab Highsocietystudio Leuchten MILK-MaterialLab-Highsocietystudio-Leuchten-6

LAVAZZA Cookie Cup

Cookie Dough Coffee Cup – Italian designer Enrique Sardi created a coffee cup for LAVAZZA, which consists of a pastry dough and special powdered sugar. The edible cookie cup can be eaten after enjoying the coffee and therefore does not produce any waste. LAVAZZA became a pioneer with this idea and has since inspired a wide variety of food[...]

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MILK MaterialLab Enrique Sardi for LAVAZZA Cookiecup MILK-MaterialLab-Enrique-Sardi-for-LAVAZZA-Cookiecup-4

Vericool

Sustainable Thermal Packaging – Since traditional Styrofoam containers are not biodegradable, Vericool has developed various thermal designs that keep the contents at constant temperatures. The compostable insulation, consisting of renewable and already consumed materials, can be disposed of in the household compost after a long period of use, thus preventing ecological pollution. Vericool is particularly suitable for transporting[...]

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MILK MaterialLab Vericool Thermopackaging MILK-MaterialLab-Vericool-Thermopackaging-3

Nuclée

Lamp From Banana and Bamboo Fibers – Designer Dorian Etienne learned about a way of processing banana fiber in Hualien, a city on the east coast of Taiwan, and incorporated this method into the design of his lamps. The banana flesh is given a high strength by drying and refining and can therefore be used in many ways. Subsequent sublimation provides[...]

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