This Recyclable Is All Child’s Play
Posted September 7th, 2012
Every ten years, the Netherlands hosts a hotly anticipated, worldwide horticultural exposition. Much more than just a flower show, the Floriade has, in part, become a showcase for environmental innovations. And there’s no better example of these envelope-pushing technologies in action than the children’s playhouse that’s being featured at the 2012 Floriade in Venlo.
Dubbed the Biobased Kidshouse, this unique play structure has been built using all-natural raw materials that are fully recyclable. In fact, some of the materials used in the Kidshouse have achieved the elite cradle to cradle certification, which means that after their service in the playhouse has come to an end, these components can be recycled into another, equally useful product. Other parts of the playhouse can be composted. This biobased construction process provides a double environmental advantage – first, it reduces the need to rely on fossil fuel compounds, and second, it means a large decrease in the amount of waste generated when a building has outlived its original purpose.
How is such a lofty goal possible in a playhouse that’s both safe and fun? With a lot of ingenuity! The wall panels, known as Ecoboards, are composed of compressed straw. Electrical sockets (yes, the house is fully powered) are crafted from a bioplastic that uses potato peels. The interior walls feature coconut and hemp fiberboards. And the roof has been waterproofed with vegetable oils. The end result is a delightfully unique structure whose materials can be re-purposed or returned to the environment once the kids have outgrown it.
While you can’t rush out and buy this concept piece for your backyard or neighborhood playground just yet, the consortium of manufacturers, universities and research institutes behind the Kidshouse, known as BE-Basic, are working hard to advance the science and technology of biobased construction. And they are not alone. As fossil fuels become more scarce and environmental concerns about waste become more pressing, companies worldwide are stepping up to the challenge of creating everything from disposable eating utensils to cleaning products to complete homes using biobased and cradle to cradle materials and techniques.
If you’d like to put your skills to work at a company dedicated to making the world a better place through innovation, contact Bayside Solutions today. Our specialized staffing professionals are experts in the green technology industry – and in finding the right fit for talented performers who want to make a difference.
