Environment Friendly
“The OSTRA alternative material is a sustainable ceramic-like material made from oyster shells that intends to close the loop in a circular economy. The bio-based material, developed by design student Jane Echard, reduces toxic landfill waste by collecting oyster shells that would otherwise be discarded. The OSTRA alternative material maintains a sustainable life cycle for these collected shells through the engagement of scientists, manufacturers, farmers, and restaurateurs in the production process. This circularity allows all parts of the oyster to be used, ultimately benefiting both the local economies involved and the environment.
The OSTRA alternative material is rich in character and highly durable making it ideal for mass manufacturing projects. Playing to the strengths of the material, Echard created a line of housewares that have unique shapes and natural stone-like finishes.”
Link:https://www.londondesignbiennale.com/sites/default/files/webform/Jade%20Echard_OSTRA%20Project.pdf
OSTRA is an alternative material and a system for critically
engaging with a complete supply chain. The project involves
local communities, creating a network of people (farmers,
restauranteurs as material suppliers, scientists, designers, and
so on) around waste oyster shells. I am currently developing the
material in collaboration with Dr Michael Cattell, a specialist in
dental technology and biomaterials at the Institute of Dentistry
– Queen Mary University of London. From this research, I have
developed a tableware range made from oyster shell material
which can be used by the same restaurants from which the
shells were originally sourced.The OSTRA alternative material is a sustainable ceramic-like material made from oyster shells that intends to close the loop in a circular economy. The bio-based material, developed by design student Jane Echard, reduces toxic landfill waste by collecting oyster shells that would otherwise be discarded. The OSTRA alternative material maintains a sustainable life cycle for these collected shells through the engagement of scientists, manufacturers, farmers, and restaurateurs in the production process. This circularity allows all parts of the oyster to be used, ultimately benefiting both the local economies involved and the environment.
The OSTRA alternative material is rich in character and highly durable making it ideal for mass manufacturing projects. Playing to the strengths of the material, Echard created a line of housewares that have unique shapes and natural stone-like finishes.