Boochi

Boochi is a compostable cutlery collection manufactured from SCOBY (Symbiotic Culture Of Bacteria and Yeast), a by-product of Kombucha production. Through extending the life of organic waste materials, Boochi returns value to materials otherwise considered waste, thus educating its users about the value of resource-recovery and encouraging self-reflection on one’s personal behaviour as a consumer. Via industrial design-focused fabrication processes, a small-scale manufacturing workflow was developed where SCOBY was dyed, dried, laser-cut, laminated, and compression-moulded to form rigid structures. This imparts unique visual and haptic qualities to Boochi, attributed to SCOBY’s textural qualities when dried in combination with the beeswax glaze – the latter acting as an antibacterial and mechanical sealant. The final product is a collection of compostable cutleries that resemble textured polystyrene cutlery, creating a familiar yet fresh tactile eating experience. For more visual appeal, the product has been dyed using Spirulina. Boochi contains little absorbed energy and has a neutral carbon footprint. Furthermore, Boochi is also safe for household composting systems since it is free of hazardous or toxic substances. The cutleries can be disposed in domestic compost bins or worm farms, which reach temperatures of up to 77°C. The crude beeswax liquifies when its melting point 64°C is exceeded, and the hydrophilic layers of SCOBY absorb moisture, decompose to their original gelatinous state and feed the compost with immanent nutrients such as bacteria. Red Dot Award: Design Concept | Concept | Sustainability