Flip the City transforms invasive duckweed into biodiverse growth tiles that replace impervious urban surfaces. These tiles are embedded with native plant seeds and a duckweed-derived substrate, promoting natural water filtration, carbon sequestration, and pollinator habitat.
Funding
Funding not disclosed
Founders
Product
Problem
Excessive growth of duckweed in urban water bodies suffocates aquatic life and degrades water quality. This overgrowth is exacerbated by climate change and increased fertilizer runoff.
Solution
Flip the City addresses this ecological challenge by transforming invasive duckweed into biodiverse "kroostegels" (growth tiles). These 30x30cm tiles are embedded with a curated mix of native plant seeds and a nutrient-rich substrate derived from the harvested duckweed. When placed in urban environments, these tiles replace impervious surfaces, facilitating natural water filtration, carbon sequestration, and habitat creation for pollinators. The process offers a circular economy solution for urban greening and biodiversity enhancement.
Target Audience
The primary target audience includes municipalities, urban planners, landscape architects, environmental organizations, and individuals seeking to enhance urban biodiversity and green infrastructure.
Features
- Kroostegels are 30x30x8cm biodegradable tiles made from processed duckweed and a proprietary substrate.
- Each tile contains a specific seed mix of 21-35 native, perennial plant species selected for biodiversity support and suitability to varying light conditions (sun, shade, generalist).
- The substrate is inoculated with mycorrhizal fungi to enhance nutrient uptake and water retention.
- Tiles are designed for direct placement in urban settings, replacing traditional paving stones or concrete.
- Each tile can sequester an estimated 1.5 kg of CO2 and absorb up to 45g of nitrogen.
- The plant selection supports an average of 734-1138 species of pollinators and insects per tile.
- Kroostegels are suitable for year-round planting, with optimal germination in spring and autumn.
- Available product variants include "Bijen-kroostegel" (Bee Kroostegel), "Vlinder-kroostegel" (Butterfly Kroostegel), "Schaduw-kroostegel" (Shade Kroostegel), and "Zonnige-kroostegel" (Sunny Kroostegel), each with tailored seed compositions.