Food and car interiors can result in an unlikely yet eye-opening combination, though not in the way you might think. Take the iconic Porsche 911 for instance, through a concept that sees it retrofitted with an interior comprising recycled food waste such as eggshells.
Food waste and car interiors collide in a tasteful demonstration of sustainability
The design study was a lightbulb moment from design studio Callum, under the helm of famed Jaguar designer Ian Callum. It stemmed from the idea that the arrival of battery-electric transportation also brings the era of sustainable materials.
Beyond typical supplies currently used by automakers, Callum discovered that coffee pulp, red lentils, walnuts, and other throwaway items from kitchens can be used to come up with a 911 cabin that’s tasteful in more ways than one. The design firm consulted with green-tech company Ottan, leading to the discovery that eggshells combined with resin results in a smooth, opaque material with either a glossy or matte finish.
Eggshells mixed in resin along with walnuts result in a smooth material for window switches
Meanwhile, expired rice and lentils can yield a translucent material for lamps and illuminated switches, while coffee pulp can serve as a flame-resistant alternative to traditional plastic material. Speaking of plastics, Callum found other uses for them, spinning them into fabrics called Camira and Feline that can be used for seats without adding that much to the car’s overall weight.
The alternative solutions that Callum came up with have been found to meet temperature and wear specifications, while providing an opportunity to reduce waste that would otherwise be thoughtlessly disposed of.
“Around the world, we consume roughly 62 million tons of textiles a year and around 87 percent of the total fiber input used for clothing is either landfilled or incinerated,” said Charlotte Jones, head of materials and sustainability at Callum.
Recycled coffee pulp can be used as toppers for dashboards
While the sustainable Porsche 911 interior remains a concept, Callum says the materials it selected are potentially compliant with auto industry requirements and can readily be put into production by 2030. The next step is to test the materials in practical usage through upcoming projects such as the Barq electric scooter.
Read up on more sustainability efforts by automakers at Philkotse.com.