More than a Bioplastic

What Remains After Sharing?

In Argentina, yerba mate is more than a drink; it’s a national symbol and daily ritual. Nearly 90% of the population consumes mate at least twice a day. Each serving uses around 50 to 80 grams of yerba, typically discarded after use. As both an Argentinian and a regular mate drinker, Agustina Gutierrez noticed the waste she generated and was driven to repurpose it. This project emerged from her personal journey into bioplastics and sustainable applications of yerba mate.

Agustina Gutierrez researches the cultural impact of yerba mate in Argentina by transforming mate waste into large-scale bio-textiles. Her work highlights sustainability and invites reflection on materiality and daily habits. The ritual of mate, sharing a gourd with infused leaves using a straw, is a social act practiced with family, friends, colleagues, or even strangers. This tradition inspires a deeper exploration of bio-based materials and human connection.

“More than just a bioplastic” is a material research that seeks to spark conversation. With this material, Agustina Gutierrez bridges tradition and transformation, encouraging visitors to consider the origins of everyday products.The project raises questions such as: How do we relate to our surroundings, through what we consume and the rituals we share? Can material innovation reshape both our habits and our connections?
Rather than offering a definitive solution, the project embodies the connection between material knowledge, tradition, and cultural heritage, inviting people to reflect, engage, and reimagine the future of sustainable design.