Fruit Peel Furniture: Italian Designers Reimagine Sustainable Materials
Krill, an Italian design company, has created furniture using fruit peel waste to reduce plastic.
Do biomaterials make a difference?
Envision a future where waste is obsolete, every material is repurposed and reused, so that products never reach their "end of life."
A recent report by the Circle Economy Foundation reveals that merely 7.2% of all used materials are being reintegrated into the economy without generating waste.
Krill Design, headquartered in Milan, aims to revolutionize this scenario with its innovative biomaterial, Rekrill. This patented plastic-like substance is entirely organic, biodegradable, and endlessly reusable.
Krill proves that biomaterials can make a significant difference in various industries and sectors.
Here are some ways biomaterials make a positive impact:
Reduced Environmental Impact:
Biomaterials are typically sourced, produced, and disposed of in ways that minimize environmental harm. This can include using renewable resources, minimizing energy consumption during production, and reducing waste generation.
Conservation of Resources:
Biomaterials can reduce our reliance on limited natural resources such as fossil fuels and virgin timber. This helps to conserve our natural resources for future generations and reduces the environmental damage associated with their extraction and processing.
Lower Carbon Footprint:
Many biomaterials have a lower carbon footprint than their conventional counterparts. For example, using recycled materials or materials that require less energy can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Promotion of Circular Economy:
Biomaterials are necessary for transitioning to a circular economy, where natural resources are used more efficiently, and waste is minimized. Materials that can be easily recycled, reintegrated, or composted help to close the loop and reduce the need for new raw materials.
Improved Health and Safety:
Some conventional materials may contain harmful chemicals or substances that threaten human health and the environment. Biomaterials are often non-toxic and biodegradable, creating safer products and environments for both people and ecosystems.
Support for Sustainable Practices:
Biomaterials can drive the demand for more environmentally friendly production methods and supply chains. This can encourage industries to adopt more sustainable practices, leading to positive systemic change.
Overall, biomaterials have the potential to make a significant difference in promoting environmental stewardship, resource conservation, and the transition toward a more sustainable and resilient society.
The rise of Krill Design
Established in 2018 by three visionary architects, Krill Design utilizes fruit peel, orange seeds, and coffee ground waste sourced from businesses across Italy to craft furniture products. Unlike conventional plastics, these items can be easily redistributed and repurposed, ensuring a sustainable lifecycle.
Marco Di Maio, Director of Operations at Krill, emphasizes the circular nature of their approach: "If all furniture was made using our materials, we could recover and repurpose them indefinitely."
How are these sustainable products made?
Each Krill product undergoes a meticulous four-step process involving transforming food waste into a fine powder, which is then compounded with a biodegradable plastic alternative, polyhydroxybutyrat (PHB). The resulting filament is fed into a 3D printer, where items like the Ohmie lamp are crafted.
What are the issues with Krill's designs?
Despite its eco-friendly advantages, Di Maio admits that Rekrill is costly. Nevertheless, Krill remains committed to its vision, partnering with renowned brands like Sanpellegrino and Four Seasons to create sustainable solutions.
The company's collaborations extend beyond mere product design; projects like Co.ffee Era in Milan aim to reduce coffee waste, showcasing Krill's commitment to environmental stewardship.
Can Krill Design make a difference?
While bioplastics represent a small fraction of global plastic production, companies like Krill are leading toward a more sustainable future. Despite challenges and limitations, experts emphasize supporting such initiatives, acknowledging that experimentation is vital for progress.
Krill continues to explore new avenues, experimenting with additional food waste sources like eggshells and tomatoes while also seeking to refine their production processes for greater efficiency and affordability.
With plans to offer Rekrill filament for individual and business use and to explore injection molding techniques, Krill remains steadfast in its belief that sustainable materials are the way forward.
As Di Maio aptly summarizes, "Little by little, a step at a time," Krill Design is paving the way towards a circular economy where waste is transformed into opportunity.
Do you believe in corporate responsibility?
Taking on the challenge of corporate responsibility can be daunting, especially when traditional business practices continue to dominate.
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By becoming a Carom member, you gain access to valuable insights that empower you to make sustainable choices while also enabling us to hold corporations accountable for their environmental impact.
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Key Points
Krill Design, an Italian company, creates furniture using fruit peel waste to reduce plastic consumption and promote sustainability.
Sustainable materials offer various benefits, including reduced environmental impact, conservation of resources, lower carbon footprint, promotion of circular economy, improved health and safety, support for sustainable practices, and market competitiveness.
Krill Design utilizes a patented biomaterial called Rekrill, which is organic, biodegradable, and endlessly reusable.
The company transforms food waste into a fine powder, compounds it with a biodegradable plastic alternative, and uses 3D printing to craft furniture items like the Ohmie lamp.
While Krill's designs are eco-friendly, there are challenges, such as the cost of Rekrill. However, the company remains committed to its vision and partnerships with brands like Sanpellegrino and Four Seasons.
Krill continues to innovate, experimenting with new food waste sources and refining production processes for efficiency and affordability.
Corporate responsibility is emphasized as essential for promoting sustainability, with Carom offering a membership program to support the transition towards a circular economy.
Carom's Eco Forward newsletter provides insights into sustainable brands, tips for promoting circular systems, opportunities for activism, updates on environmental campaigns, and fresh blogs on sustainability advancements.
