SEEDKO, a biodegradable flower pot

SEEDKO is a biodegradable seedling pot made exclusively from secondary raw materials, which are otherwise left discarded even though not used to their maximum capability. The annual contribution of approximately 500 million single-use plastics added to landfills in the form of plastic seedling pots call for sustainable alternatives in the gardening industry.

At its core, SEEDKO pot carries coffee grounds, which usually remain in the coffee cup and are incorrectly disposed of in landfills. As they still carry most of the nutrients present in coffee beans even after making a cup of coffee, they prove to be an asset for the healthy and efficient growth of seedlings. Each ingredient in the researched mixture assist to the objective; while phosphorus and potassium in coffee grounds improve the yield, the calcium carbonate from the pre-treated eggshells is used as a natural repellent, while cellulose from discarded toilet paper rolls and starch help retain moisture and act as a binder for the biomaterial.

Imagined lifecycle of SEEDKO begins at gardening shops with the first contact with the customer. When purchasing a seedling, the growing plant is received in a biodegradable seedling pot that can be directly put into the soil. There, it will disintegrate with the steady growth of the seedling's roots, offering the necessary nutrients and protection. The gardening shops retain the plastic trays used for growing the seedlings, while customers do not add to the growing problem of discarded plastic at home.