Manufacture of a New Sustainable Material from Bacterial Cellulose from Organic Waste in a Circular Economy Framework

The circular economy introduces a novel approach to sustainable production and consumption, emphasizing collaboration to develop innovative business models. Material innovation is a key element in aligning with this circular economy, transcending traditional disciplinary boundaries. This article focuses on bacterial cellulose, a material naturally produced by bacteria. Due to its mechanical strength and eco-friendly qualities, it offers a sustainable alternative to plastic materials. We start with a theoretical-technical overview and then explore practical Do It Yourself (DIY) applications. Our emphasis is on producing bacterial cellulose from local organic waste, in line with circular economy principles. We conduct a field study to assess local producers’ readiness to contribute organic waste for bacterial cellulose production. The waste collected is used to create practical, disposable, and compostable solutions, which are returned to local stakeholders, closing the production and consumption loop. These solutions also serve as raw materials for further cellulose synthesis. In summary, this article investigates bacterial cellulose as a sustainable material and implements a circular economy approach by utilizing local organic waste for material production and reuse. This contributes to a more sustainable, closed-loop system, fostering innovation and collaboration.