Could biodegradable plastics made from natural substances such as algae replace fossil-fuel polymers? Here are 10 examples of designers that are experimenting with environmentally friendly alternatives.
More about 10 bioplastic projects made from algae, corn starch and other natural materials
Designers should stop using recycled plastic and instead use bioplastics made from natural materials such as algae if they want to reduce pollution, according to Istanbul Design Biennial curator Jan Boelen. More about The rising use of recycled plastic in design is "bullshit" says Jan Boelen
The new footwear collection from Spanish fashion brand Ecoalf is made from recycled waste found in oceans and rivers. More about Ecoalf unveils Shao sneakers made from algae and ocean plastic
French studio XTU Architects has developed a concept for four twisting glass towers in Hangzhou, China, featuring facades covered in panels impregnated with micro-algae. More about XTU Architects proposes algae-covered towers for Hangzhou
Dutch designers Eric Klarenbeek and Maartje Dros have developed a bioplastic made from algae, which they believe could completely replace fossil-derived plastics over time. More about Dutch designers convert algae into bioplastic for 3D printing
Studio Roosegaarde has restored a set of flood defences in the Netherlands, impregnating the floodgates with a new retroreflective material that glows in the headlights of oncoming cars. More about Restored floodgates by Studio Roosegaarde reflect the headlights of passing cars
IKEA's external innovation lab Space10 has worked in collaboration with three young architects to create a four-metre-high bioreactor dome for growing microalgae. More about IKEA lab Space10 creates algae-producing pavilion in Copenhagen
Graduate shows 2016: Vilnius Academy of Arts graduate Austeja Platukyte has designed a range of packaging using a material made from algae, which could replace non-biodegradable forms of plastic (+ slideshow). More about Austeja Platukyte's packaging is made from biodegradable algae-based plastic
DesignMarch 2016: product design student Ari Jónsson has combined red algae powder with water to create a biodegradable bottle. More about Ari Jónsson uses algae to create biodegradable water bottles
Designers Jonas Edvard and Nikolaj Steenfatt have used a new material made from seaweed and paper to create a chair and a collection of pendant lamps. More about Seaweed and paper combine to create furniture
Dezeen and MINI Frontiers: in this movie filmed at Dutch Design Week, Essi Johanna Glomb and Rasa Weber of Berlin studio Blond and Bieber explain how algae can be used to create completely non-toxic textile dyes. More about Blond and Bieber's dyes made from algae "don't harm nature at all"
Dutch Design Week 2014: this rug by Dutch designer Nienke Hoogvliet is woven using yarn made from algae harvested from the sea (+ slideshow). More about Studio Nienke Hoogvliet uses algae yarn to create Sea Me rug
News: Berlin design studio Blond and Bieber's project that uses algae to create colourful dyes for textile printing has won a competition for young designers organised by Lodz Design Festival (+ movie). More about Blond and Bieber's Algaemy coloured dyes win Lodz Design Festival prize
A group of London-based industrial designers have created an edible water bottle using algae and a technique popularised by El Bulli chef Ferran Adria. More about Edible water bottle replaces plastic with algae
News: the world's first building to be powered entirely by algae is being piloted in Hamburg, Germany, by engineering firm Arup. More about Arup unveils world's first algae-powered building
News: Scientists at a Spanish university are developing a new type of concrete that captures rainwater to create living walls of moss and fungi. More about Researchers develop "biological concrete" for moss-covered walls
Dezeen archive: this week we featured a skyscraper with an algae skin, so we thought we'd bring you all the projects involving algae we've published on Dezeen. See all the stories »
More about Dezeen archive: algae
Algae would produce energy and clean water for a conceptual skyscraper proposed for London by British architect Dave Edwards. More about FSMA Tower by Dave Edwards
This concept car by Los Angeles architects Emergent is made of cartilage and makes its own fuel from algae. More about Semi-Rigid Car by Emergent
Industrial designer Christian Vivanco has created this pendant lamp inspired by seaweed. More about Algae lamp by Christian Vivanco