# Sustainable Feces Building Materials Merdacotta Could Replace Terracotta Tiles for Building By Michael Hemsworth | Published 2016-04-20 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/terracotta-tiles References: [homecrux](http://www.homecrux.com/2016/04/19/44783/merdacotta-new-sustainable-building-material-made-from-cow-dung.html) & [theshitmuseum.org](http://www.theshitmuseum.org/frontpage/) Created at the Museo Della Merda (the "Museum of Sh*t"), Merdacotta is a new kind of material that could [replace terracotta tiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/terracota-collection) and materials in building. Merdacotta consists of eco-friendly ingredients such as cow dung, farm water, straw and Tuscan clay to create a final product that's strong and sustainable. Merdacotta came to light when farmer Gianantonio Locatelli and designer Luca Cipelletti got together to invent a [sustainable building material](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/by-osmosis) that could replace existing materials. Being that there is so much waste produced by cows, Merdacotta shows promise for what it could be transformed into with a little bit of processing. Merdacotta is currently available in various forms to be seen at Milan Design Week 2016 and is also available to be admired at the Museo Della Merda. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 3.7/10 - Popularity: 79% | Activity: 24% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Eco-friendly Building Materials:** Merdacotta is an example of an eco-friendly building material that could potentially disrupt the construction industry. - **Waste Transformation:** The use of cow dung and other natural ingredients in Merdacotta showcases an opportunity for the waste transformation industry to create innovative, sustainable products. - **Sustainable Design:** The development of Merdacotta highlights the trend of incorporating sustainable design practices into various industries, including architecture and homebuilding. ### Who This Affects Most - **Construction:** The construction industry could explore the use of Merdacotta as a sustainable and durable alternative to traditional building materials. - **Waste Management:** The waste management industry could potentially find new ways to transform organic waste, such as cow dung, into valuable resources like Merdacotta. - **Design:** The design industry has the opportunity to incorporate sustainable and eco-friendly materials like Merdacotta into their products, showcasing a commitment to environmental consciousness. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Corn Cob-Made Wall Cladding](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cornwall.md) - [Contemporary Terracotta Tiles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cottomilano.md) - [Discarded Shoe-Created Stools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wu-series.md) - [Reclaimed Material Dairy Facilities](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/gaushala.md) - [Low-Carbon Biomaterial Bricks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cob-brick.md) - [Corn-Made 3D-Printed Buildings](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/manufactura-corncretl.md) - [Sustainable Repurposed Clay Bricks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mutina.md) - [Organically Designed Tile Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mater-tile.md) - [Sustainable Design Materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mycoworks-reishi.md)