Food waste to furniture - Famed Kilkenny bakery inspires Green Product Award

Eva Xiste was inspired by her visit to Keogh’s Bakery in Callan to invent a new material that can be used to make sturdy stools and vessels, and even reinvigorate the business.

Showcased as part of Dutch Design Week, where it won the Green Product Award, Nover is a biomaterial with compressed strength made from the by-products of the bakery as well as from sheep farming and waste wood.

She describes it as integrating into the circular economy and creating new possibilities for the bakery and community.

Breadcrumbs and coarse wool can be used for more than just croutons or yarn and can be used to create new revenue streams as well as celebrate the bakery’s craftsmanship.

Nover also utilises unused energy from the baking process - the products are ‘baked’ in the bakery’s oven when it’s not in use. This ensures the six hours worth of unused heat emitted by the oven is repurposed.