Children’s craft projects inspire biodegradable materials at Aalto University in Finland

Craft projects from children are indeed endearing, but as these creations pile up, it may be time to consider decluttering. Unfortunately, much of it ends up in general waste due to the difficulty of recycling items that contain adhesives, tapes, and plastics like glitter.

What if crafting materials could be biodegradable? Experts in chemistry, design, and art have collaborated at Aalto University’s Bioinnovation Center to develop bio-based materials suitable for crafts. According to visual artist and art educator Greta Salonen, this initiative is a response to the climate anxiety faced by children and youth, seeking various means to alleviate it.

“We want to create hope through tangible actions and positive solutions,” Salonen explains. The development of these crafting materials also led to the publication of a new book titled “Mainiot materiaalit – Instructions for Bio-Based Experiments,” set to release at the end of September. The book provides guidance for creating various crafting materials, primarily targeting children and youth, along with their parents and teachers.

Among the instructions are recipes for egg ceramics, toilet paper foam, and bio-glitter, all of which are biodegradable, with some fully compostable. The authors aim to encourage children to engage in creative problem-solving with an environmentally friendly approach. Salonen confirms that the laboratory-developed material recipes are also perfect for home use, as all raw ingredients are non-toxic and pose no serious mess.

Since microplastic glitter is now banned for sale in the EU, the Aalto University project has led to the creation of a biodegradable glitter alternative that can be made at home.