Chitosan Planter
Working with biomaterials, this project was developed with two other individuals with the goal of using a biodegradable polymer, Chitosan, derived from ocean waste. Chitosan is sourced from seafood waste, specifically shells of arthropods or crustaceans (known as Chitin). The material properties of Chitosan allow it to become a great fertilizer for plants and is often used in the farming industry. At the same time, we wanted to tackle the negative impact peat pots, which are currently used in the market, have on the environment through their sourcing process.
Process
Working with the Chitosan, we went through a series of tests (around four). This involved changing quantities of ingredients, trying new ingredients, adding recycled substances such as wood dust, and testing boiling times. As a result, we found that wood dust, lactic acid, glycerin, methyl-cellulose, and the Chitosan made the perfect mixture for the plant pots. We put these in a freeze dryer for a few days, which resulted in our pot structures.
Our target audience would be local users, as seafood is a huge industry in Rhode Island. The concept lends to a circular system occurring between the seafood and gardening businesses at a smaller scale.
