A pioneering initiative from Cyprus is revolutionising the utilisation of agricultural waste, transforming discarded olive pits into a sophisticated bio-composite material destined for high-end furniture and interior design. The multidisciplinary team behind "Pit to Table" is not only addressing a significant environmental challenge posed by olive harvest by-products but also offering a compelling, sustainable alternative to conventional construction and furnishing materials.
The genesis of Pit to Table can be traced back a few years, culminating in significant momentum gained in 2023 through participation in a sustainability accelerator programme, facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and run by the Social Tech Lab. This intensive period allowed the founders – interior designer Mustafa Afsaroglu, with extensive experience in London's construction sector, alongside engineering and business experts Yagmur Fellahoglu and Bugra Ebeler – to refine their concept. Following the accelerator, the team focused on developing initial prototypes and rigorously assessing the commercial viability of their innovative product.
At the heart of Pit to Table's innovation lies "Pit-board," a unique bio-composite material crafted from the humble olive pit. Annually, the olive oil production cycle generates substantial quantities of pomace and crushed pits, often presenting logistical and disposal hurdles. Pit to Table intercepts this waste stream, meticulously collecting and processing the pits. These are then finely crushed and ingeniously combined with a plant-based bio-resin, itself derived from the shells of cashew nuts. The result is a durable, solid panel, supplied in sheet form, ready to be fabricated into a diverse array of interior applications.
The material's inherent aesthetic is one of its most distinctive features. Unlike many composite materials that mask their origins, Pit-board proudly showcases the embedded olive pits when its edges are exposed. This visual cue serves as a constant reminder of the material's agricultural provenance, imbuing furniture, cabinetry, and wall surfaces with a unique narrative and a palpable connection to nature. Performance-wise, the team asserts that Pit-board's properties are on par with those of natural timber, making it a practical and aesthetically pleasing choice for designers, architects, and manufacturers seeking sustainable yet high-performing solutions.
The journey from concept to a tangible product involved considerable refinement. Over the past year, Pit to Table has forged a crucial collaboration with a Greek Cypriot materials engineering company. This partnership has been instrumental in optimising the formulation and manufacturing process, ensuring that Pit-board meets stringent quality and performance standards. The company's operations are firmly rooted in Cyprus, leveraging the local abundance of olive waste and contributing to the island's burgeoning circular economy initiatives.
The implications of Pit to Table's work extend far beyond the creation of an attractive new material. By valorising a previously discarded by-product, the company directly tackles the environmental burden associated with olive waste. Furthermore, it provides a powerful counterpoint to industries reliant on virgin resources and energy-intensive, chemically driven manufacturing processes. As the demand for sustainable building and furnishing solutions escalates globally, Pit to Table's innovative approach positions them as a significant contributor to a more environmentally conscious future in design and manufacturing.