Aquatic Plants as a Sustainable Raw Material for Design Products
The Dutch Lake District is expected to experience explosive growth in waterweed and Cabomba (fanwort). Waternet currently plans on intensive mowing in the coming years. The volume of dry plant material generated (5000 kg per mowing session per hectare) is too large to leave behind or to remove by road. Therefore, Waternet is studying how to deal with it to maximise sustainable use, either as biofuel or as raw material for sustainable products. Architect Gert Jan Scholte and NPSP have been working on a research project with Waternet using aquatic plants as a sustainable raw material for bio-composite design lamps. The research has been made possible with financial support from the Province of Noord Holland.
From agro-waste to high-end product
Agricultural waste as natural resource for industrial products. Good industrial solutions are required by developing countries heavily dependent on agriculture. Agricultural waste could be converted into engineering goods and building elements, providing farmers with often desperately needed additional income. This raw material is sustainable and biodegradable: the true way to go forward.
Eco-friendly sanitary facilities, Orissa, India
The goal of the project is to develop an innovative integral solution for safe off-grid drinking water and sanitation at primary schools in rural India. The project will focus on a low-cost prefabricated modular ‘plug and play’ system that can easily be installed and is designed according to the specific needs and demands of rural schoolchildren. The different building elements will be made of natural fibre composites.
Agro-waste based Jewelry: optimum value creation from agricultural waste streams
Millions of north Indian farmers, sets fire to their crop residues. As a result of the noxious air quality in New Delhi, the smog-choked city now pushes farmers to stop burning their straw. But what options do they have to advance these waste streams? The answer to this question is that side streams from agrifood production can be an excellent raw material for a multitude of products including building elements and jewelry. For our project that turns agro-waste into jewelry, we will use various techniques such as 3d printing, lasercutting and moulding to come to our final product. A team of famous Dutch designers and architects will cater for inspiring designs.