‘Chip[s] board’ – An eco-friendly alternative to medium-density fibreboard made from potato peelings

Two Kingston University graduates in the UK have created an environmentally friendly, sustainable and biodegradable alternative to medium-density fibreboard (MDF), and the product was produced from potato peelings. Graduates Rob Nicol and Rowan Minkley are the team behind Chip[s] Board® – a potato-based product turning food waste material from restaurants into a robust ready-to-use chipboard-like sheet. “Unlike its resin based counterparts, Chip[s] Board® is biodegradable post-use and doesn’t contain formaldehyde or any other toxic resins and chemicals”, according to a dedicated website for the product. The environmentally friendly product is strong enough to construct temporary structures designed to last more than a month. “We have some samples that are over a year old now – It lasts as a material without degrading,” Rowan explained. More