Corpse to compost, Jose Cuervo’s agave to straws, Ford’s coffee waste parts, Reebok biokicks, cellulose optical fibers, catalysts algorithms, and more: The Digest’s Top 10 Innovations for the week of December 12th

From Jose Cuervo’s new project to convert agave byproduct into biodegradable straws to death (corpse to compost), this week’s Top 10 Innovations are a hoot to boot. Car maker Ford is using McDonald’s coffee waste in car parts, and a New Zealand airline is using edible coffee cups made from biscotti to reduce in-light service items. Sneaker company Reebok launched new kicks made from castor beans, algae, eucalyptus and natural rubber, VTT has created optical fibers from cellulose, and a new machine learning algorithm can play into the discovery of new catalysts.

In today’s Digest, while some are getting ready to hibernate for winter, the bioeconomy is just as active as ever and it’s ready for you now at The Digest online.

#1 Intoxicating idea: Jose Cuervo to convert agave into straws

In Tequila, Mexico, margarita mainstay Jose Cuervo has launched a project to convert agave byproduct into biodegradable straws.

The straws were developed in partnership with BioSolutions Mexico and PENKA. Jose Cuervo says millions of the straws will be available next year at restaurants, bars, and Jose Cuervo events across the US and Mexico.

The largest generator of agave byproduct globally, the brand has also evaluated producing plastic, paper, bricks, and fuel from the fibrous material.

“The past, present, and future of Jose Cuervo is tied directly to the agave plant – without it, we would not exist,” Alex Coronado, Master Distiller and Head of Operations at Jose Cuervo, said in a press release. “As the tequila industry worldwide booms, it is our company’s responsibility as the leader to take care of the agave plant and ensure that we are producing tequila sustainably. It takes an average of 6 years to grow an agave plant before it is mature enough to harvest for tequila production, and we have to be committed to finding more ways to use the agave fibers once that process is complete. The debut of our biodegradable, agave-based drinking straws is a new step in utilizing the full potential of this very special Mexican agricultural product.”
More on the story, here.