Avocado Seed Bioplastic
Exploration of materiality and biofabrication methods
AWARDS
Pratt Material Lab Prize, Third Place, 2020
PUBLICATIONS
”Avocado Pit Bioplastic” Materiom, February 2020
”Avocado Pit Composite” Materiom, February 2020
“Pratt Students Convert Everyday Waste into Viable Products and Materials” Metropolis Magazine, September 2020
Photography by Julia Brière
THE CHALLANGE
How might we aid in shifting linear systems towards a circular economy?
This is a material driven project that explores potential applications of food waste, specifically avocado seeds, into bioplastics. Since avocado seeds are typically seen as waste, millions of pits end up in a landfill. The byproduct of landfill waste is greenhouse gas emissions.
My design intentions were driven by investigating methods to offset the negative environmental impacts of landfill waste by upcycling the avocado pit seeds into a new material.
THE STRATEGY
Drawing on how nature works in symbiosis to create circular economies
I discovered a systems solution to repurpose avocado pits and utilize their potential rather than disposing them to a landfill. This process explores potential leverage points to offset the negative impacts of waste generated from the pit. It also could offset the emissions and health concerns of plastic production and consumption if the new material (in the future) could replace certain single-use plastics.
Avocado Seed Powder
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Bake
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Blend
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Repeat
MATERIAL ANALYSIS
Examination of elements + structure
PROPERTIES
Flexibility determined by gelatine and powder ratio
Opaque
No Ondulation
No Smell
Slightly rough and gritty
Grandulated surface
APPLICATIONS
Packaging
Artistic molding
Construction
Product design
