The Bone Project, Alternative applications for bovine bone Rating Options

[aross]

Hi Folks,

Around 6 months ago I created a post here entitled ‘Sustainable Ivory’. At the time I was searching for ways to use waste cow bones, which are currently being incinerated. Thanks to everyone who gave their input.

I’d now like to share with you the conclusions to the project. Below is an introduction for those who aren’t familiar with the previous post, and overviews of the final scenarios.


theboneproject

In the beginning of my final year I was exploring agricultural by-products. The idea was to give farmers the ability, not only to farm food, but also to farm products. I desired to create some form of local production, which would be beneficial to both the environment, and the economy.

This research led me to an abattoir where I encountered a strange, yet wonderful, opportunity to use waste cow bones.

Bone: Waste Problem

Abattoirs would previously get paid for their leftover bovine bones. However due to the feed ban imposed during the BSE crisis, this is no longer the case. An abattoir in Inverurie has to pay £1600 every day to have their bones incinerated. Around 3 million tonnes of bones are incinerated every year in Europe, despite the majority of them being classified as ‘fit for human consumption’. This disposal method has a detrimental effect on both the environment, and Britain’s rural economy.

The bone project was all about discovering ways to use this waste material. Research was divided between three different areas: perception, properties and fabrication.

Perception: Could bone be made as acceptable as red meat or leather?

Properties: Does bone possess any useful; structural, chemical or electrical properties?

Fabrication: How are bones currently disposed of? Could they be used for high volume applications?

It soon became apparent that bone was not immediately suitable for mass product design. Further work and research would be required to integrate it fully into society. Therefore a range of scenarios were created, and sources of further funding were identified. As a collection they demonstrate how bone could become a mainstream material for product applications.



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1.0 BoneIvory

In this scenario, arts funding will be utilized to change the way bone is perceived; to make it desirable and valuable. This can be achieved through creating bespoke objects which present bone as a ‘sustainable ivory’. The goal is to make bone as acceptable as leather.



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2.0 BoneLAB

Bone possesses unique chemical properties. Existing research proposes that ground bone can be used to remediate soil contaminated with heavy metals. However, it should be possible to use whole bone to absorb the toxins released by electronic products, and batteries, upon their disposal.



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3.0 BoneEngineer

This scenario explores two high volume applications for bone:

Bone: Laminate
Laminating sections of whole bone, to form large structural panels or tiles. This application would rely on bone becoming socially acceptable and desirable.

Bone: Smart Material
Using crushed bone to make a new composite material. This would utilize the remediation properties of bone explored in BoneLAB, to create housings for toxic electronic products.

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I am currently putting together a research proposal to implement some of the scenarios above.

More information on the project, and details of the research and development behind it, can be found at: www.theboneproject.co.uk.

Also, if you would like to see the project in person, I am exhibiting at New Designers in London between the 10th and 13th of July

Thanks, Andrew.


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