Over the past year, Mustafa Afşaroğlu, the Sustainable Futures and Reinvent unit leader for MA Interior Design (Online) at Arts University Bournemouth (AUB), has been developing an innovative new sustainable interior material made from a specific type of agricultural waste, olive pits.
Launching at Clerkenwell Design Week in London at the end of May 2025, the aptly named Pit-Board is made into tabletops and worktops made available via Pit-To-Table, a manufacturer of sustainable surfaces and materials founded by Mustafa alongside two Cypriot colleagues.
“Our mission was to provide sustainable alternatives to widespread plastic worktops and we found the solution with olive pits," explains Mustafa. "Pit-Board is a bio-panel made from discarded olive pits collected from both sides of Cyprus reducing organic, agricultural waste on the island.
“Pit-Board is extremely versatile and suitable for various applications across multiple industries. In hospitality and office design, it can be used for countertops, tabletops, shelving, and in residential settings, it works well for cabinetry, dining tables, and panels.”
Since developing this new, innovative interior material, Mustafa and his team have gone on to win four grants including one from the United Nations Development Programme and another from the EU.
As well as grants, Pit-To-Table is also a finalist at the prestigious Mix Awards 2025 in the Product of the Year – Surfaces category.
“Pit-Board is more than just a sustainable surface, it’s a symbol of unity” Mustafa says. “By transforming discarded olive pits, we’re building a greener future while strengthening the ties between Greek Cypriot and Turkish Cypriot communities.
“Our supply chain is rooted in collaboration, ensuring equal participation across gender and cultural lines. We believe that diversity is the spice of life – and through design, we celebrate difference rather than let it divide us. With every panel, we’re not just reducing pollution – we’re crafting a future where sustainability and peace go hand in hand.”
