Eggshell

Eggware

"Waste is a design flaw."- Kate Krebbs

'Eggware' is new material similar to ceramic and concrete, created from calcareous food waste -eggshells and a seaweed binder from alginate. On average, 200 eggs per year are consumed per person, on a global scale eggshell waste is abundant. Designer Midushi Kochhar utilised this waste flow and experimented meticulously to create a material which is naturally white, lightweight, rigid, powdery, water-absorbent and strong.

With applications in tableware, it can also be used in construction, interior tiling and craft objects. Once the objects are no longer needed, these products can be crushed down and composted, adding protein and other nutrients to the soil. Moreover, it has low propagation of fire, which means that the material self-extinguishes!

There is still much humans need to learn from nature’s technology through biomimicry and designing with the end of life in mind. In order to shape materials, products, and spaces that are truly regenerative for the planet. By valuing and employing natural waste streams, Midushi aims to drive a positive change by adding value to a waste resource, advocating against climate and food crisis-related issues and revising societal perceptions about how we view waste.

Making process

Waste eggshells were initially collected from the breakfast cafes around King's Cross, London and roadside food stalls.

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.