# Eco-Friendly MDF Alternatives Rowan Minkley & Robert Nicoll Rebel Against Single-Use Materials By Kalin Ned | Published 2018-12-14 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/singleuse-materials References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2018/12/12/rowan-minkley-robert-nicoll-recycle-potato-peelings-mdf-substitute/) & [chipsboard](https://www.chipsboard.com/) The abolition of single-use materials is well under its way and London-based Rowan Mirkley and Robert Nicoll are the latest design duo to contribute to the cause for sustainability. The two creatives hold the belief that a "[circular economy](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/by-osmosis)" needs to be taken into consideration when designing new products. Cleverly dubbed 'Chip[s] Board,' the innovation makes use of unused [potato peelings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/huid) to provide a viable and functional substitute for materials like medium-density fiberboards (MDF) and chipboards. There are a number of eco-conscious advantages that Rowan Mirkley and Robert Nicoll's Chip[s] Board has that single-use materials simply can't deliver. For one, the invention is biodegradable and it does not contain "formaldehyde or other toxic resins and chemicals." ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.2/10 - Popularity: 76% | Activity: 73% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Circular Economy Design:** The trend of designing products with a focus on circular economy principles, such as using waste materials as viable substitutes for traditional materials like MDF. - **Eco-friendly Materials:** The trend of creating materials that are biodegradable and free from toxic chemicals, providing sustainable alternatives to single-use materials. - **Waste-based Innovation:** The trend of developing innovative solutions that utilize unused waste materials, such as potato peelings, to create functional substitutes for conventional materials. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Furniture Manufacturing:** Furniture manufacturers can explore the use of eco-friendly materials like Chip[s] Board to create sustainable and biodegradable furniture pieces. - **Construction Industry:** The construction industry can benefit from incorporating circular economy design principles by using waste-based materials like Chip[s] Board in the construction process, reducing environmental impact. - **Packaging Industry:** The packaging industry can capitalize on the trend of waste-based innovation by using biodegradable and non-toxic materials like Chip[s] Board for sustainable packaging solutions. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Stacking Hemp-Made Chairs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/peel-chair.md) - [Puzzle-Like Seating Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/twinsmdf.md) - [Waste-Based Furniture Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecofriendly-furniture1.md) - [Discarded Wood Construction Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/woodoo.md) - [Adaptable Plastic Alternatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/2m-group.md) - [Eco-Friendly Root Vegetable Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/compostable-packaging-concept.md) - [Sustainable Wooden Natural Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/forestbank.md) - [Sustainable Soundproofing Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sustainable-soundproofing.md) - [Recycled Yogurt Pot-Constructed Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/work-series-ii.md)