The 5 Gyres research institute says bioplastics are "not a silver bullet solution" for plastic pollution, following a study that raises concerns about so-called biodegradable products. More about Researchers find bioplastic drinking straws intact after over a year buried underground
Materials companies Circular Matters and StoneCycling have used corn cobs – one of the world's most plentiful agricultural waste materials – to make interior cladding that is biodegradable and almost entirely bio-based. More about CornWall gives discarded corn cobs new life as tiles
Sportswear brand Puma has said it is a step closer to launching a truly biodegradable shoe, following a trial in which a specially made version of its Suede sneakers decomposed under strict conditions. More about Puma reveals results of Re:Suede experiment to make a biodegradable shoe
At Designart Tokyo, Japanese design collective Honoka exhibited furniture and lighting made by 3D printing a material made from discarded Tatami mats. More about Honoka 3D-prints furniture that "re-weaves Tatami into modern life"
Reef structures made from human ashes and accessories created from fermented vegan leather feature in this video by Dezeen for Dutch Design Week of the BioArt Laboratories exhibition. More about Video reveals BioArt Laboratories showcase at Dutch Design Week
Promotion: four international researchers have explored ways to develop energy sources that are both renewable and compostable using bacteria and biomaterials. More about Researchers develop renewable and biodegradable power sources using bacteria
Industrial design student Avia Revivi has designed a biodegradable toilet paper named O-SOW, which integrates seeds to encourage plant growth. More about Seeded toilet paper encourages plants to grow with human-waste fertiliser
A research team at the University of Michigan has created biodegradable formwork out of sawdust in an attempt to mitigate wood waste in the process of laying concrete. More about DART Lab creates biodegradable concrete casts using sawdust
Environmental organisation A Plastic Planet has launched an online platform to help architects and designers source plastic-free materials for their projects and avoid the "minefield of misinformation" around more sustainable alternatives. More about PlasticFree is a database of over 100 plastic alternatives for designers and architects
California-based BioLab Studio has developed a system that uses 3D printers to construct wooden scaffolding that cultivates mycelium maintained by a robotic arm. More about BioLab Studio develops 3D-printed "bio scaffold" for growing mycelium
Copenhagen-based Natural Material Studio has unveiled an understated pouch made from biomaterial for fashion brand Calvin Klein that was designed as a Christmas gift wrap. More about Natural Material Studio creates reusable biomaterial gift wrap for Calvin Klein
Designer Helena Elston has created a collection of upcycled clothing made from mycelium and London-sourced textile waste, which explores "how we can produce beautiful things from discarded materials". More about Helena Elston designs decomposable garments from mycelium and recycled materials
Dezeen School Shows: we've rounded up six projects presented on Dezeen School Shows that aim to innovate and upgrade material and textile design. More about Six student design projects that experiment with materials
Industrial design student Alara Ertenü has developed a packaging solution for soap made from peapods and artichoke waste, which is currently on show as part of Dutch Design Week. More about Packioli is a biodegradable soap packaging made from artichoke leaves and peapods
Material research firm Studio Lionne van Deursen has showcased its Unfold designs, made from a material created by bacteria, as part of the Isola Design District exhibition at Milan Design Week. More about Studio Lionne van Deursen exhibits material created by microorganisms at Milan Design Week
Swedish architecture and design studio Claesson Koivisto Rune has combined wool and vegetable-tanned leather to craft a cremation urn, which will naturally break down in soil once it is buried. More about Claesson Koivisto Rune designs biodegradable burial urn made from wool
Düsseldorf studio Urselmann Interior has renovated its own office interiors using biodegradable, recycled or upcycled materials, including glueless joinery and a cellulose-based wall cladding. More about Urselmann Interior renovates own office using recycled and biodegradable materials
Danish designer Bonnie Hvillum's Natural Material Studio has collaborated with multidisciplinary studio Frama on a collection of biodegradable materials made from algae, clay and foam. More about Natural Material Studio and Frama showcase algae and terracotta fabrics
Parsons School of Design graduate Zihao Fang has developed Aquastor, a biodegradable vessel designed to fight the spread of deserts that's made using only readily available local resources. More about Zihao Fang designs anti-desertification vessel based on termite mounds
Sustainable startup Notpla has created an edible, biodegradable packaging made from seaweed and plants that was designed to replace plastic. More about Notpla is a biodegradable material designed "to make packaging disappear"