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Green Cardboard

Project Lead:

Chris Kratzer

Team Members:

Gabe Kramer

Julia Provenzano

Mackenzie Frye

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Duration:

January to May 2017

End-Life:

Some of the algae samples were kept for later use, and the rest were left outside to decompose.

Check out the continuation of this project with Green Cardboard II.

Publications:

How do you go about making Cardboard out of Algae?

What Have We Learned?

Experiments with Fiber Length

Transitioning to Industrial Production

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From left: Gabe, Chris, Julia and Mackenzie

Special Thanks:

to Andrew Loriot,

Angela Gallo,

Rodrigo Folgar,

Joan Barnes,

and the Construct Lab

Description:

We realized that dried pond algae has material properties very similar to those of cardboard. We made two small boxes with minimal processing as a proof-of-concept for the material. 
Using algae as a substitute for wood pulp in paper production has many benefits:

  1. Using wood pulp is very energy-intensive

  2. Relying on wood can accelerate deforestation

  3. Trees take a long time to grow

  4. Algae grows very quickly

  5. Cardboard made from algae can be biodegradable

  6. ​Cladophora algae is an invasive plant

  7. Removing algae from ecosystems can mitigate eutrophication

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