Swedish design studio Tomorrow Machine has created a new bio-based bottle called GoneShells, in partnership with juice company Eckes Granini. The bottle is made from potato and can be eaten, composted at home, or dissolved under water once finished with. The project aims to reduce the environmental impact of packaging and prevent it from ending up in oceans or landfills.
Partnership with Brämhults
Tomorrow Machine worked with Eckes Granini’s eco-conscious brand of fresh juices and smoothies, Brämhults, in the early stages of the project. The partnership was crucial in informing the development of the packaging and in testing the material with the producer’s products. The studio wanted to create a material that could match existing packaging solutions in terms of price range and manufacturing techniques.
Inspired by nature
The concept behind GoneShells is to match the lifespan of the packaging with the contents inside, bypassing the conventional recycling system. The packaging was inspired by the way a fruit is protected by its peel. The bottle has a spiral-like structure and can be peeled and broken down easily. The decomposition process can begin once the bottle is peeled and the water-resistant barrier is broken. The material is designed to have a biodegradable barrier that protects the interior and exterior of the packaging.
A sustainable alternative to conventional packaging
The conventional recycling system may not be viable in many countries due to a lack of infrastructure for recycling or composting. GoneShells offers a sustainable alternative to conventional packaging as it can be eaten, composted at home, or dissolved in water in around 20 minutes. The project is an ongoing research project with plans for further developments and applications in the future.
The project was supported by the strategic innovation program BioInnovation, a joint venture by Vinnova, Formas and the Swedish Energy Agency. The RISE Research Institute of Sweden and branding agency F&B Happy also provided further expertise.
GoneShells is a significant step towards a circular economy, where waste is minimized, and resources are used efficiently.
