Arts Thread

In the UK alone, half a billion plastic bedding trays end up in landfills or incineration plants annually, exacerbating the plastic crisis. Meanwhile, over 8 million tonnes of prawn shells are discarded each year from the frozen seafood industry. Seasprout tackles these issues by converting waste shrimp shells into earth-friendly bio-materials and manufacturing bio-degradable bedding trays, bedding liners, and pots for the horticulture and agriculture industries using a bio-material design approach. Designed with a low embodied energy it's at the intersection of design, material science, and technology. Seasprout places a strong emphasis on empowering local fishing communities in Nellore, India, the shrimp capital of the country. By collaborating closely with this community, the project creates positive socio-economic impacts by providing employment opportunities and supporting local livelihood. Seasprout's core success lies in its circular economy framework, minimizing waste, maximizing resource efficiency, and designing products for reuse and recycling. By phasing out traditional plastic materials like HDPE, This new system incentivizes waste collection for repurposing, closing the loop, and transforming waste into valuable resources. Introducing bio-degradable bedding trays and pots prevents illegal disposal of prawn shells, reduces plastic usage, and acts as a natural fertilizer, enriching the soil and promoting plant growth. This sustainable impact extends to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, preserving biodiversity, fostering a circular economy, and empowering sustainable communities.