Challenge
The Galapagos Islands face a growing need to reduce imported petrochemical plastics. The challenges they create include labour- and energy-intensive waste management, and pollution leaking into the natural environment, threatening rich biodiversity.
In an effort to find viable sustainable plastic alternatives that support local livelihoods, Materiom was tasked to work with the community to demonstrate how abundant regional waste streams – such as marine and shellfish waste, food waste, and invasive plant species – might be transformed into biomaterials for regionally specific applications.
Approach
Together with project partners, we undertook a series of workshops to provide local artisans and the wider community with tools and resources to create prototype bioplastics with universal biomaterial making techniques.
The sessions covered both theoretical and practical content – from the impact potential of biomaterials, applications, and local biomass sources, to tutorials on biomaterial films and biocomposites relevant to current artisan practices.
With the support of local conservation groups, the hospitality industry and local fisheries, shellfish waste (primarily lobster or crab due to year-round abundance) was used as a key exemplary biomass resource in the workshops. Lobster shell, in particular, is reported to have the highest content of the biopolymer chitin amongst crustaceans. Extracting chitin from the exoskeleton of these shellfish was demonstrated in order to create bioplastics.
Outcomes
Key outcomes of the project included:
- A list of locally abundant biomass sources and their relevance for specific applications
- A mapping of local artisan techniques and expertise, including products, tools used, and resources required
- A stakeholder map of conservation, governance, recycling, artisan and local producer organisations
- Judicial regulations and protocols potentially required in the region
Numerous organic resources were identified, principally a diverse selection of unavoidable food waste (including lobster and shrimps) and calcium minerals from waste eggshell. Starch, gelatine and chitin were identified as key biopolymer binders, and the use of abundant and invasive species such as elephant grass, passion fruit plants or blueberries were also found to be a complementary source of biopolymer reinforcing agents from which cellulose can be derived. After learning what materials were used as finishing products for the artisans’ products, a specific need for biobased coatings and finishes became clear.
The next phase of biomaterial exploration will focus on manufacturing single-use plastic alternatives that are biodegradable and sustainable. In this phase, we aim to work with the University of Exeter and Galapagos Conservation Trust (GCT) to develop compostable bags that can be used within local markets and households.
Partners
Galapagos Conservation research Fund (GCRF), Galapagos Conservation Trust, (GCT), University of Exeter, Pacific Plastics Science ot Solution, (PPSS) Evolution Education Trust (EET), Orcatec , FUNCAVID
Learn more
View project summary poster here.
