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 divert organic waste from landfills by creating new material applications?

This material-driven project explores potential applications of food waste, specifically avocado pits, into bioplastics. Since avocado pits are typically seen as waste, millions end up in landfills, where they contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. The design intentions were driven by investigating methods to offset the negative environmental impacts of landfill waste by upcycling avocado pits 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 Pit Powder