Food waste, Agricultural waste

Bio - Patchwork. ODA x Sirope Lab

The bioplastic sheets used in Pasota (Bio-Patchwork) were originally developed as part of an ongoing research project exploring alternative materialities using food and agricultural waste from local sources. Made primarily from orange peels and an algae-based biopolymer, the material is flexible yet durable.

The process starts with the collection and processing of organic waste, such as orange peels, coffee grounds, and peanut shells, sourced from local restaurants and farmers. These materials are washed, dried, and finely ground before being mixed with a biopolymer solution. Natural pigments, such as onion skin, beetroot, and spirulina, are added to influence both aesthetics and material properties.

The liquid mixture is then poured into moulds and left to air-dry for several days, forming uniform sheets with a slightly organic texture from the orange fibres. These sheets were initially created for other projects, and Pasota (Bio-Patchwork) emerged as a way to repurpose offcuts from previous productions.

To construct the final piece, the bioplastic remnants were laser-cut, ensuring clean edges and minimal waste. The pieces were then thermally bonded using controlled heat and pressure, allowing for seamless fusion while reinforcing the conceptual foundation of the project—showcasing how discarded elements can be revalued.

Once assembled, the patchwork material was stretched and mounted onto a handmade fir wood frame, crafted by ODA. The final composition highlights the translucency, layered textures, and tactile qualities of the bioplastic, creating a dialogue between light, material, and the reconsideration of waste cycles.

By working with local organic waste streams, Pasota (Bio-Patchwork) offers an alternative material narrative, challenging conventional production models that prioritize uniformity over ingenuity. It invites a broader reflection on material value, waste cycles, and the role of ecological alternatives in both design and food culture.

Making process

The bioplastic sheets used in Bio-Patchwork were originally developed as part of an ongoing investigation into alternative materialities using locally sourced agro-industrial waste. The material consists primarily of orange peels, combined with an algae-based biopolymer, resulting in a flexible yet durable biomaterial.

The process begins with the collection of orange peels and other organic waste, such as coffee grounds, lemon peel, and peanut shells, which are sourced from local restaurants and agricultural producers. These organic materials undergo a preparation phase in which they are washed, dried, and finely ground to ensure a homogeneous texture. This careful handling of raw materials is essential for maintaining the strength and surface quality of the final material.

Once prepared, the organic residues are combined with an algae-based biopolymer solution, which provides structure and stability. Natural pigments are added to achieve a range of colour variations, some of which are extracted from other food waste, such as onion skins, while additional pigments like beetroot and spirulina are used. By controlling the formulation, we can influence not only the visual aesthetics but also the mechanical properties of the biomaterial.

The liquid mixture is then poured into moulds and left to dry at room temperature for several days. This slow drying process ensures the formation of a uniform bioplastic sheet, which is then demoulded. At this stage, the sheets retain subtle organic textures due to the fibrous composition of the orange peel.

These bioplastic sheets were originally created for material research and other projects, but Bio-Patchwork emerged as a way to reutilise material offcuts, reinforcing the idea of minimising waste and extending the lifecycle of materials. The offcuts were laser-cut to ensure precise edges and optimized material use. The individual pieces were then heat-sealed together, applying controlled heat and pressure to create seamless bonds between the fragments. This technique not only allows for the creation of larger, continuous surfaces but also strengthens the conceptual foundation of the project, showing how discarded elements can be reassembled into something valuable.

Once assembled, the bioplastic patchwork was stretched and mounted onto a handcrafted fir wood frame, built by ODA. The final piece plays with translucency, layered textures, and the tactile properties of the biomaterial, interacting with light and movement to emphasize both its material potential and its role in rethinking waste.

By working with local organic waste streams, Bio-Patchwork proposes an alternative material narrative, emphasising the structural and aesthetic potential of discarded fragments. It challenges conventional production models that prioritise uniformity over resourcefulness, inviting broader reflection on material value, waste cycles, and the role of alternative ecological materials in design and food culture.

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.