Algae

Zero Waste: Experimental packaging from algae-based material

While working on this project designer Austėja Platūkytė followed a zero-waste philosophy and sought to shed light on the increasingly prevalent issue of environmental pollution. This project is a result of an experimental practice that was aimed at finding a substitute for synthetic plastic using only natural resources which would, later on, form a new cycle of nature.

The designer tested a number of natural materials as well as their mixtures before she came up with the most suitable solution – a biodegradable algae-based material. This new material perfectly holds its shape, is waterproof and protects the product against possible damage. Made of only two natural ingredients, this material is wholly organic and compostable. After the product is consumed, its packaging can simply be composted or used as a fertiliser. Even if this packaging has been discarded as waste. Due to natural processes and micro-organisms, it will again become a part of nature and will cause no harm to the environment.

Text submitted by the maker and edited by the Future Materials Bank. For information about reproducing (a part of) this text, please contact the maker.