Japanese startup Quantum, creative agency TBWA/Hakuhodo and chemical manufacturer Koushi Chemical Industry Co., have turned discarded scallop shells into safety helmets.

The aptly named Shellmet is protective head gear composed of a mixture of scallop shells recovered from the seafood industry and recycled plastic — a material dubbed Shellstic.

Source: Koushi Chemical Industry Co.

To create the Shellstic, the team collected the scallop shells, which are composed of calcium carbonate, and boiled, sterilized, crushed and mixed them with recycled plastic. The mixture was then placed in a helmet mold.

The end result is a 400 gram helmet designed to be worn by fishermen, cyclists and people working at construction sites or disaster zones.

In addition to diverting scallop shells from landfills, the helmets can reportedly be recycled into new helmets after their lifetime or incorporated into building materials, according to its developers.

For more information on the Shellmet, watch the accompanying video that appears courtesy of Koushi Chemical Industry Co.