Through hands-on exploration, we'll dive into the world of bio-based materials and discover how they can contribute to a circular economy.

Discover a practical approach to eco-friendly and resource-efficient design! In this 2-day workshop, you’ll learn how to turn one of Florida’s abundant agricultural byproducts—sugarcane bagasse—into useful, eco-friendly materials and art. Sourced directly from local Miami restaurants and juice stands, this fibrous waste from sugarcane is often discarded or burned, contributing to greenhouse gases. Here, we’ll explore ways to reimagine this “waste” as a valuable resource.

Through hands-on activities, you’ll explore bio-based materials and how they can support a circular economy. Together, we’ll work with natural binders like algae, plant starches, and citric acid to create biodegradable, compostable materials. 

This event is supported by The Puffin Foundation and Miami’s Future of Cities Innovation & Climate HUB.

Julia Steketee is an artist, designer, bio-based material researcher and founder of the Bagaceira Project. Her creative practice combines traditional craft and bio-construction techniques, scientific methodologies and the principles of circular economy.

Igor Barboza is a social innovation and bio-economy researcher with a focus on tropical ecosystems.