Paula Ortega makes biodegradable jewelry. She prepared for her latest collection by doing research for two full years. This lead to the creation of her very own bioplastic. Ortega’s alternative to plastic is based on casein, the protein found in milk, which she combines with metal in her creations. After a while, the plastic inevitably biodegrades. The owner of the jewel will end up with a metal carcass, which can be remelted and used elsewhere.

Sustainable materials were also key to Ortega’s previous collection, which was centered on recycled silver and loofah (a kind of vegetable sponge).