For WantedDesign Manhattan during NYCxDESIGN in May 2018, the Finnish Cultural Institute in New York invited chefs from the zero-waste Restaurant Nolla in Helsinki, and designers Linda Bergroth and Harri Koskinen to curate and create a project focusing on themes of circular economy, new material innovations, and sustainable design.

Zero Waste Bistro, designed by Linda Bergroth, was built entirely of next-generation upcycled and recyclable materials, using iconic Finnish furniture and tableware that is made to last from generation to generation.

The five-day program of Zero Waste Bistro consisted of tasting sessions with an innovative menu sourced entirely from local sustainable producers, also using overlooked byproducts of our food system, all supplied without packaging.

Each partner and collaborator was selected on the basis of their stake in sustainability. The Finnish Design Shop and Artek brought in sustainable made-to-last tableware and furniture; Durat launched their new recycled composite collection; Kotkamills presented their repulpable disposable cups; Sulapac a completely new plastic-free packaging material and Oklin the 24h food composter; Finnair flew in the chefs and the designers.

The program also included daily talks and workshops on the themes of sustainability, in collaboration with the Parsons School of Design and Restaurant Nolla.

After the five-day event, everything was composted, recycled or reused in the name of a circular economy.