In a new report entitled “The Urban Bio-Loop,” multinational professional services firm Arup proposes a new paradigm for developing building materials by upcycling food waste. Rather than continuing to utilize current waste management systems such as landfill, incineration, and composting, the researchers propose isolating certain types of refuse for incorporation into various building products.
“The use of organic waste in construction would possibly allow the exploitation of its untapped value with a positive impact not only from an environmental perspective but also from a technical, social, and economic standpoint,” researchers write in the 68-page report.
In addition to outlining the various environmental impacts of such an effort, the team also makes material recommendations. For example, they propose incorporating peanut shells into flat boards for interior partitions; utilizing potato peelings and cork for thermal insulation due to their low conductivity, fire performance, and water repellent capabilities; and integrating remnant fibrous materials from banana and pineapple harvesting that are both strong and lightweight into carpets and moquette.
Read the entire proposal below:
The Urban Bio-loop by architectmag on Scribd
