Designer develops chitin-based seed pods

In New York, designer Mara Zimmerman has developed SEAD, a seed delivery and cultivation material made from discarded seafood cells.

Specifically, Zimmerman uses chitin from waste sources like shrimp and crab shells. Chitin, which is gaining interest as an emerging bioplastics, encourages seed germination and has pesticidal properties.

SEAD users only have to break the pods open and plant the entire SEAD container, from which heirloom seeds germinate.  The varieties of seeds used are “passed down through generations, each carrying a rich history and cultural significance,” according to an article in Yanko Design.

The idea of delivering seeds in seafood waste could face resistant in areas like India, where strict vegetarianism is prevalent, however. “Despite these challenges, SEAD offers a sustainable option for open-minded consumers committed to environmental conservation,” the publication noted. “It’s crucial to acknowledge cultural sensitivities and cater to diverse preferences.”