Shell Works Transforms seafood waste into bioplastic
Four designers from the Royal College of Art and Imperial College have found a second life for seafood waste. The shells of seafood are transformed into a paper-like material that could act as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastics.
The Shell Works transforms the shells of seafood into a paper-like material that could act as a sustainable alternative to single-use plastics. Four designers from the Royal College of Art and Imperial College have developed a series of machines that turn seafood waste into a biodegradable and recyclable bioplastic. The material consists of a mixture of vinegar and a biopolymer called chitin – a fibrous substance that makes up the exoskeleton of crustaceans and the cell walls of fungi. The material has been used to make anti-bacterial blister packaging, food-safe carrier bags and self-fertilising plant pots.
By 
In 
