| dc.description.abstract | This research project was brought by Groot Packaging. Groot wants to help create a waste-free floral industry and has developed several circular and biodegradable products from flower waste. In this project we used flower waste as a circular material to create a new type of biodegradable particle board, which we called flowerboard.
The flowerboard is made out of flower waste that was cut into small pieces, which were then bound together with a natural adhesive. This adhesive has been used in the wood panel industry as a substitute for the toxic glues that are normally used. It consists of tannins that occur in natural abundance in wood and bark and which protect the trees against bacteria, parasites, viruses and fungi. By using these tannins as adhesive, this protection is also transferred to the flowerboard.
We tested a few of the properties of the flowerboard to see if it was suitable for use as a bee hotel. As a bee hotel it would need to survive storms, fungi and rain. We therefore tested the strength, fungi- and water resistance of the flower board.
The strength of the flowerboard is similar to common wood particle board and stronger than gypsum plate. We considered this strength sufficient for building a bee hotel. The flower board was also very resistant against a common fungi, probably because of the properties of tannin and the heat pressing of the flowerboard. The flowerboard was not very resistant to water and therefore needed an additional coating. For this we used natural oils that repel water, with these oils the flowerboard was able to survive 24 hours of constant simulated rain.
Because of these promising properties we designed a bee hotel where we use flowerboard as the construction material. Since the lifespan of the flowerboard is unclear we designed the hotel to be as efficient as possible, without compromising our ideals of a fully biodegradable and functional hotel. The final design is attractive and commercially feasible to produce and sell.
In the coming months a few of the hotels will be produced and tested outside. After these tests we will evaluate if we want to produce more or if they will serve as a show-piece and inspirational product only.
If interest in the flowerboard arises we will continue to perfect and test the properties of the board. As well as find new functions and designs. We already successfully tested our method of production with other organic waste materials, which means that we might also expand this project with different waste streams.
To conclude, we were able to create a unique and versatile material that has the properties to replace harmful artificial panels. We achieved this by using a previously unvaluable waste stream and in a completely environmentally friendly and sustainable way. As an added benefit, by using the flowerboard as a bee hotel, we also help repopulation of the bees. We hope that this board will inspire others and show that with the right knowledge and tools, a more environmentally friendly and regenerative future is just around the corner. | |
