Chip[s] Board - an eco-friendly idea well baked
by Startacus Admin
![chip [s] Board](/uploads/image/chips%20board%20concepts.png "chip [s] Board")
Chip[s] Board - The startup that's on a mission to find value where others see waste with their eco-friendly material made out of potato peel...![chip [s] Board logo](/uploads/image/Chip%5Bs%5D%20Board%20logo-min.png "chip [s] Board logo")
It’s slow work, but the world is going through the process of realising that we need to rely more on green, eco-friendly, sustainable...well, everything possible, and making the switch where viable. Building materials, furniture, and cutlery might not be the first things people think of when they think biodegradable and eco-friendly, but when was the last time you visited a landfill (a fun family day out) to see what fills it the most?
London-based Chip[s] Board has seen the need and the possibility for a more sustainable, eco-friendly material based on chipboard and MDF: Chip[s] Board (it’s kind of in the name).
Chip[s] Board was born from the founders’ (Rowan Minkley and Rob Nicoll) observation that both chipboard and MDF are used in a highly disposable manner. Their university would buy whole new sheets rather than offcuts or recycling other products, as it was cheaper. The waste, therefore, ended up in landfills.
Their alternative, discovered after much experimentation, is made of potato peel.
![chip [s] Board screen](/uploads/image/Chip%5Bs%5D%20Board%20screen-min.jpg "chip [s] Board screen")
This green material is just as tough and durable as MDF, and can be machined in the same way, but it can hold a thread and is a little more water-resistant. More importantly, when it is time to retire a Chip[s] Board product, it is sent away to biodegrade rather than bulk up a landfill. Larger products are sent to a composting facility where they can be reclaimed for use in growing new produce.
Materials like chipboard and MDF are toxic, and when cut or left unsealed can even release formaldehyde, a carcinogen. Chip[s] Board does not use such toxic chemicals, and even the glue used in the products can be potato-based.
On Tuesday 17 April, Chip[s] Board, who are currently on CRL’s Accelerator, was one of the sustainability-oriented entrepreneurs to pitch to a panel of industry-leaders in the hopes of winning a prize of £20k to advance their products as part of the Mayor’s Entrepreneur Competition 2018. They were one of ten startups invited to take part, following 450 applications. Good work!
From furniture to disposable cutlery, there are many uses for Chip[s] Board, and no excuses, we think, not to make the switch.
Subscribe to our newsletter
If you would like to receive our startup themed newsletter, full of the latest startup opportunities, events, news, stories, tips and advice, then sign up here.
Chilled beers, wines and spirits delivered in one hour, thanks to JUST EAT for chilled drinks, Edinburgh-based startup Drinkly.
Bubblebum has had its flagship product named as one of the Most Innovative and Most Attractive at the Child Baby & Maternity Expo in China.
Influencer marketing remains largely unchartered territory for many businesses, so here are some tips for getting it right on the first go.
Step forward Raise Accelerator, Northern Ireland's first privately-run startup accelerator. We chatted to three founders from their first cohort.
Rich Maaghul, CEO of ODEM.io explores the future of education and how disruption will transform the way that we learn...
The app that helps you achieve your goal body with easy to follow workouts for the gym or home.
The London based startup that has safer home care provision as its mission
The ethical rewards app Koin Rewards, reimagining loyalty through responsible shopping and tokenisation.
Lessons from Goldilocks and the three bears and why in a competitive market place just-right doesn’t go far enough
Common costly mistakes when hiring a team. Use this advice to help avoid high hiring costs, low workplace morale and mistakes.
Published on: 29th April 2018
If you would like to enable commenting via your Startacus account, please enable Disqus functionality in your Account Settings.
- IAG’s Hangar 51 takes flight with latest innovation programme 31st Jul 2019 The latest Hangar 51 innovation programme is on the hunt for tech startups with a broad range of aviation industry solutions.
- 10 FMCG startups selected for first Seedrs accelerator 24th Jul 2019 10 FMCG startups selected for the 1st Seedrs FMCG accelerator, which aims to help FMCG startups raise capital on the platform
- Startup Leadership Program invites applications for its 9th London cohort 12th Jul 2019 The Startup Leadership Program continues to grow, inviting applications for its 9th London cohort to join the six-month program.
- Latest Zinc Company Builder Programme to transform the quality of later life 9th Jul 2019 Do you want to build a new purpose-driven startup with support from a world-class network of experts?
