“Koukoutsi” eco-material: transforming olive waste into sustainable solutions on Lesvos Island for decorative board production

The “Koukoutsi” eco-material, derived from the residual waste of olive oil production on Lesvos Island, is ingeniously repurposed for the decorative board production, demonstrating an innovative approach to sustainable material utilization. This study examines the physical, thermal, and mechanical properties of black and gold decorative boards made from olive cores and pips, respectively. Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray diffraction, and Scanning electron microscopy revealed the presence of epoxy and cellulose phases, cellular structures, and resin distribution in both boards. The thermal stability measured using Thermogravimetric analysis and the impact strength assessed through Izod impact tests also set apart the effectiveness of the two types of boards. The black boards had lower water absorption and swelling thickness, a higher contact angle, and increased radical scavenging ability compared to the gold boards. However, the gold board demonstrated higher impact strength due to the dense olive pits present, enabling more efficient stress transfer between the material and resin interface. This dense composition resulted in the creation of voids and pores in the gold sample, leading to greater water absorption and promoting water penetration. These findings highlight the potential of olive cores and pips as a sustainable solution from Lesvos Island to the world.