Tag Archives: recycled

Your Next Package Might Be Cushioned by Upcycled Grain Husk Instead of Plastic Styrofoam

Posted on by

While there’s a conscious effort to remove plastic from our regular consumption, it still manages to play a pretty large (and unavoidable) role in packaging. Whether it’s shrink wrap, bubble wrap, sellotape, or even styrofoam… it seems like getting plastic out of packaging may just be an impossible task. However, a German company is working on an alternative to replace styrofoam in packaging. Their solution? A cushioning material made out of grain husks.

Designer: Proservation

The intended purpose of a product’s packaging is simply to help it cover the journey from factory to consumer. After it’s made this journey, a product’s packaging ends up becoming waste. Scale that up to account for the population of the world and just how many products we buy in a single given day or week, and you’ll realize what a massive problem we have on hand. Sure, it’s easier to recycle cardboard boxes and I can even stretch that argument to bubblewrap or foam peanuts… but it’s nearly impossible to recycle molded styrofoam pieces because they’re specifically designed to hold a certain product and can’t be used anywhere else. Conventional styrofoam is made by passing a foaming agent through plastic, causing it to bubble up into the lightweight styrofoam you use today. Given that it’s essentially made by combining plastic and air, recycling styrofoam as a material is borderline impossible… but replacing it isn’t.

Proservation’s solution is a product called Recou – a ‘molded’ packaging material that’s made from grain husk (which is also what nature uses to package grains!) When grains are harvested, the husk or chaff is removed and either discarded, burned, or used as animal bedding. Proservation has a clever alternative solution – upcycle this husk into a soft, impact-resistant material that does the job of styrofoam, while essentially being biodegradable. The husk is collected and bound together using a proprietary bio-based binder. The overall product has the same properties as styrofoam, but can be easily discarded or even composted.

“Thanks to our specially developed ecological binder, RECOU can be shaped as desired, and due to comparable material properties, it has the potential to substitute petrochemical packaging solutions such as EPS (Styrofoam) and represent an ecologically sound alternative for many applications,” says Proservation.

Proservation is hoping that Recou can replace a major bulk of styrofoam in the current packaging ecosystem. The material has the ability to be molded just like styrofoam, albeit with a few limitations given the size of an individual husk. It takes anywhere from 6-8 hours to make each piece, and the overall product has a density of 120 to 150 kg/m³, which seems to be the one significant limiting factor, given that styrofoam weighs nearly 70% less. Recou is also designed to resist moisture and humidity, showing no signs of mold when stored at 70% humidity for up to a week… “However, if the material is permanently exposed to high humidity or moisture, the decomposition processes start and mold may occur,” the company says.

For industries/companies interested in transitioning to Recou, Proservation does sell a few standard products like corner-cushions for palettes, and is also open to molding specific products based on requirements. The company plans to have an industrial plant operational by some time in 2024, scaling up production for this unique no-waste bio-based alternative to styrofoam.

The post Your Next Package Might Be Cushioned by Upcycled Grain Husk Instead of Plastic Styrofoam first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Ultimate Example Of Upcycling: Repurposing Discarded Movie Screens Into Interior Products

Posted on by

In a groundbreaking collaboration with CGV, South Korea’s leading movie brand, designer Haneul Kim has unveiled a remarkable initiative to address the environmental challenge of waste generated by discarded movie screens. These screens, often several meters long, are typically cast aside due to damage, contamination, or the dismantling of theaters. Haneul Kim’s innovative approach transforms these seemingly obsolete materials into stunning and functional lighting designs, marking a significant step towards sustainability in the design industry.

Designer: Haneul Kim

Kim’s inspiration struck when he noticed the perforations on the discarded screens, recognizing a visual similarity to aluminum perforated plates commonly found in industrial applications. This revelation led to the ingenious idea of repurposing the screens’ sound-transmitting function into a source of light emission. The result is a series of portable lamps that ingeniously utilize the small holes in the screens to emit light, turning waste into a source of illumination.

The Waste Screen Recycle project also pays homage to the legendary designer Mario Botta’s iconic shogun lamp. Known for its clean lines and geometric precision, Botta’s lamp incorporates perforations or cutouts, allowing light to diffuse elegantly. Haneul Kim’s homage work demonstrates the potential of waste screens to replace traditional lampshades, showcasing a fusion of sustainability and design aesthetics. The project not only repurposes discarded materials but also reimagines them in the context of established design classics.

The versatility of waste movie screens is further highlighted as Kim extends the project to include furniture pieces such as tables and chairs. These pieces showcase the original patterns found in waste movie screens, adding a touch of uniqueness and character to each creation. By exploring the potential use of these screens as interior materials for the future, Kim is pushing the boundaries of sustainable design and encouraging a shift towards more environmentally conscious practices.

The repurposing of waste movie screens into lighting designs and furniture pieces not only addresses the issue of waste in the entertainment industry but also demonstrates the potential for meaningful utilization across various domains. Kim’s project underscores the exceptional functional and aesthetic qualities of waste movie screens, positioning them as valuable resources for the creation of sustainable and visually striking designs. As the design world continues to grapple with environmental concerns, Haneul Kim’s innovative approach serves as a beacon, pointing towards a future where discarded materials are transformed into objects of beauty and purpose.

The post The Ultimate Example Of Upcycling: Repurposing Discarded Movie Screens Into Interior Products first appeared on Yanko Design.

Salvaged E-Scooters Salvaged From The Swedish Canals Make Up This Collection Of Lamps, Seatings & Grills

Posted on by

The world is drastically changing, and it’s affecting the way we live and function. However, the irony is that the world is drastically changing because of our unhealthy practices and us! It’s now imperative to live more sustainably, carefully, and consciously. Integrating sustainability into our day-to-day lives has become crucial. I’m all for swapping my everyday mass-produced products for recycled or sustainable alternatives, but this is the first time I’ve come across something as unique as ‘E-metabolism’.

Designer: Andra Formen

Designed by Andra Formen, a design studio based in Malmö, Sweden, the E-metabolism is a unique and innovative collection of table lamps, indoor garden systems, seating, floor lamps, and a grill made from the salvaged and recycled elements of e-scooters. The studio took it upon itself to research how electric scooters could be recycled into various smaller products. The E-metabolism collection was produced by four designers of the studio’s team along with two divers, who dived into the murky canals of Malmö to salvage electric scooters that had been carelessly discarded. The parts were disassembled to explore their possibilities and utility.

“Our mission is to turn toxic waste in the form of electric scooters from the bottom of the canal into pieces of art,” says Oskar Olsson of Andra Formen. E-metabolism is an effort on the part of the studio to utilize existing waste as resources to build with. “With the project, we investigate how electric scooters can be seen as materials and how their inherent design can create inspiration for new objects. Built of ancient skeletons and artifacts,” concludes Olsson.

The scooters used in the project were collected from remote areas in and around the canals, where they were discovered in a broken state, or in states of disrepair. The design studio transformed the broken-down vehicles into brand new designs with a recycled chic appearance, although certain pieces such as the floor lamp and the desk lamps have a more raw and ragtag style, which intrigues you with their colorful and evocative visual appeal. The E-metabolism collection is on display online, and you can inquire about purchasing them if you’re interested.

The post Salvaged E-Scooters Salvaged From The Swedish Canals Make Up This Collection Of Lamps, Seatings & Grills first appeared on Yanko Design.

LAYER introduces a collection of eco-friendly chairs and stools made from recycled PET bottles

Posted on by

London-based design firm LAYER designed the ‘Vale’ collection for US furniture brand KFI Studios. The Vale collection is a range of eco-friendly chairs and stool created from recycled PET bottles, and are a protest against the plastic waste that is drowning Earth’s oceans and landfills at an alarming rate. The Vale collection is LAYER and KFI Studio’s eco-friendly solution to this ever-growing issue of plastic waste. In a day and age, where almost 9 million tons of furniture are found in landfills, the Vale collection is a refreshing change and a fine specimen of sustainable furniture.

Designer: LAYER and KFI Studios

The elegant-looking chairs and stools feature shells and seats built from a tactile felt material. The tactile material is manufactured from recycled PET bottles, and it is eco-friendly and quite sturdy, durable, and easy to maintain. The PET bottles are carefully and consciously spun into the non-woven felt, then heat-pressed into the desired shape, creating a soft and impact-resistant material. The felt shells and seats are intricately combined together with the steel frame using simple bolts, to make them super easy to remove if need be. This allows users to recycle the chairs and stools once their life cycle ends.

Besides their eco-friendly nature, the chairs and stools are also quite aesthetically pleasing to the eye. They are inspired by the beauty of nature and the timeless curves of a valley. The curved form of the furniture provides maximum comfort to the user, as well as an impressive visual impact. The artful wrapping of the shell around the steel frames brings to mind the image of rolling hills and valleys. The entire collection has a quaint minimal appeal, which lends it a timeless aesthetic, that will endure the passage of time and the varying seasonal trends.

“The Vale collection is a study in restraint – in materials, form, and design language – that echoes the restraint required to live responsibly in today’s world. In doing so, it celebrates the mindful approach of Layer as a design studio,” says Benjamin Hubert of Layer. The Vale series includes a chair, an armchair, a lounge chair, high and low stools, and an ottoman.

The post LAYER introduces a collection of eco-friendly chairs and stools made from recycled PET bottles first appeared on Yanko Design.

These clay-like vases and lamps are actually made from eggshells and tapioca starch

Posted on by

Plastics aren’t the only sources of pollution on our planet. It might come as a surprise, but even biodegradable material can become problems if left unchecked. Food waste, for example, can easily pile up, and not all of them are easily recycled or reused. Considering how many kinds of food use eggs for one reason or another, eggshells are prime examples of materials that become not only literal waste but also wasted potential to turn into something more useful. Fortunately, that are always ways to upcycle some of the most common food waste, and this collection of oddly-shaped accessories and vessels demonstrates one such method that takes advantage of the materials’ own properties to create interesting organic forms to decorate your tables or your shelves.

Designers: Zumra Yagmur Cetinler, Damla Ertem

Technically, egg shells aren’t exactly recyclable. Yes, they are biodegradable and serve as excellent compost for gardens. Other than that, however, there are a few other uses for the remnants of widely-used eggs. Unfortunately, most people, kitchens, and food production processes don’t exactly pay special attention to food waste like eggshells, creating problems down the line, even for recycling plants.

Just like the eggs they contain, eggshells can, fortunately, become ingredients for something greater than themselves. Burn’tShell, for example, is more than just a collection of vases and lamps with weird yet interesting shapes. This family of biodegradable and biomaterial products actually uses that often ignored food waste material, giving eggshells a new purpose and helping alleviate their harmful effects on the planet even by a little bit.

Burn’tShell actually uses two kinds of sustainable materials. The egg shells serve as the ingredient for the bottom pieces, while tapioca starch is used for the shell. What makes the design even more special is that processes use the materials’ innate properties, potential, and performance, leading to self-forming pieces that really capture the eye with their odd curves. That’s the same cause for the blight-like color-changing design that the material naturally produces, adding to the clay-like appearance of these vessels.

The vases and lamps are definitely conversation starters. Light brown hues mixed with patches of white create an earthy tone, while their unconventional curvy shapes convey a unique, organic character. They would definitely be fitting centerpieces for restaurant tables, especially ones where eggs are used for the main course.

The post These clay-like vases and lamps are actually made from eggshells and tapioca starch first appeared on Yanko Design.

Duffy London sustainable coffee table is inspired by candies and aliens

Posted on by

When grownups talk about aliens and flying saucers, they often imagine eerie creatures and skin-crawling aerial vehicles that sometimes induce nightmares. Kids, in contrast, probably have more fun ideas about these otherworldly creatures, conjuring up images filled with all the colors of the rainbow. In the midst of all the hustle and bustle of modern life, we sometimes find ourselves reminiscing those figuratively and literally sweet days of our childhood, free to let our imaginations fly and come up with the most creative answers to the mysteries of the universe. Now you don’t have to wait for stress to make you long for those sugar-infused days with this coffee table that transports you to the past while keeping a close watch on the future of the planet.

Designer: Duffy London

Although they are known to be terrible for our teeth and our long-term health, there’s just no escaping the fact that sweets, especially bright-colored candy, can evoke feelings of joy and fun, calling to mind the simpler days of our childhood. Even things that would normally instill fear or dread are made less menacing when transformed into candies and marshmallows, whether they’re monsters, ghosts, or aliens. That’s why even if the shapes refer to extraterrestrial transportation, the Flying Saucer Coffee Table remains firmly rooted in the harmless, candy-filled tradition of Earthlings.

The entire ensemble is made up of three large UFO shapes in tasty candy colors holding aloft an even larger glass disc that serves as the tabletop. The combination, especially if viewed from the top, is reminiscent of those glass jars holding innumerable gobstoppers that make our mouths water at the mere sight of them. Beneath the UFOs is a steel base plate that creates a perpetual shadow for the flying candies, regardless of the light source.

Candy-like objects are often made from plastic, and the Flying Saucer Coffee Table is no different. What makes it different is that all the thermoformed plastic used in the product is sourced from recycled materials, particularly from food packaging that makes up about 75% of London’s domestic plastic waste. In that sense, the coffee table is an almost ironic reminder to mind the planet we’re on, even while looking to the heavens for inspiration.

The Flying Saucer Coffee Table is another striking addition to Duffy London’s “art-as-furniture” collection, composed of eye-catching yet functional pieces that bring life to any space in more ways than one. Rather than an otherworldly atmosphere that the UFO shapes might suggest, the table’s whimsical design encourages onlookers to live life to the fullest, sprinkle a bit of joy and child-like wonder into their life, and maybe even get a sweet treat once in a while.

The post Duffy London sustainable coffee table is inspired by candies and aliens first appeared on Yanko Design.

Stone-like tables made from recycled construction wood are inspired by Korean architecture

Posted on by

Wood is a material loved by many designers and creators because of its natural beauty, its distinct texture, and its sustainability. The latter, however, doesn’t mean that there is no waste or damage to the planet involved, especially when the rate of use outpaces the rate of growth of trees. Wood is biodegradable, but it isn’t easily recyclable either. This is especially true for wood used during construction which often becomes useless after it has served its purpose. These tables, however, give new life to these discarded wooden beams, and they ironically take their inspiration and even their appearance from buildings made of stone and concrete.

Designer: Jongwon Lee

There are many ways to use wood in construction, but one of the most basic and most unappreciated types is PSL or Parallel Strand Lumber. These thick wooden beams are used as frames in architecture or interiors for walls. Their rough texture and raw appearance make them less ideal for any other purpose, and they’re often simply discarded when they’ve reached their end of life.

Primitive Structures is a table design that uses those exact same flaws and turns them into strengths and unique features. Every part of the table is made from used construction wood cut into uneven polygonal shapes. Discarded PSL wood often comes with holes made during construction, so these are filled with recycled wood chips to provide not only visual completeness but also structural safety.

The raw shapes of the legs and tops give the table a rather primitive character. Rather than hide the distinctive texture of PSL wood, they are made to stand out instead, making them resemble leaf veins or tiger stripes. This gives the table an almost stone-like appearance, and the arrangement of a slab sitting on top of tall stones is also reminiscent of ancient Korean dolmen or megalithic tombs. When the three-legged tables are stacked on top of each other, they even give the image of a Korean pagoda on a smaller scale.

Primitive Structures is an interesting design experiment on how an often ignored material can be re-recycled and down-cycled to produce something that almost looks like a piece of sculptural art. The tables’ primitive and stone-like forms exude a sense of power and strength, inspiring confidence in their use while also providing some peace of mind in knowing that this beautiful piece of furniture was made from the ground up to help heal the planet.

The post Stone-like tables made from recycled construction wood are inspired by Korean architecture first appeared on Yanko Design.

Acer Aspire Vero 15 laptop and Vero projector offer sustainable productivity and entertainment

Posted on by

Modern life has become surrounded and dependent on consumer electronics, from the appliances we use day in and day out to the smartphone that almost never leave our hands. While these products bring convenience to our lives, they often come at the cost of the planet’s health, especially when we buy them left and right without considering where and how they are made. Fortunately, manufacturers are taking note and have started producing more eco-friendly options for consumers. In the midst of a new batch of computers and accessories, Acer is expanding its green Vero family with a 15-inch laptop and a brand-new laser projector to offer a more sustainable way to work, play, and enjoy life.

Designer: Acer

Acer Aspire Vero 15 Laptop

Although desktop computers still have a spot in the market, especially in gaming, most people prefer to have a laptop that they can bring with them outside or even just around the house. There is an almost overwhelming amount of models available across dozens of brands, making it difficult to pick one to buy. If you’re the type to be conscious of the impact of your purchases on the environment, then the new Acer Aspire Vero 15 AV15-53P is something you should look into.

Although it still has the conventional parts found in all laptops, the Aspire Vero 15 boasts a more eco-conscious design that brings the amount of post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastics used in the chassis from 30% to 40%. This chassis is also made with 30% fewer carbon emissions and doesn’t use paint for its eye-catching appearance. The laptop is also made to have an extended life thanks to standardized screws that simplify repairs and recycling when the inevitable happens.

Breaking misconceptions about products that use recycled materials, the Aspire Vero 15 doesn’t skimp on performance with a 13th-gen Intel Core i7 processor, a spacious 15.6-inch Full HD screen, up to 16GB of memory, and up to 1TB of M.2 SSD storage. The Acer Aspire Vero 15 AV15-53P launches in June with a starting price of just $699.99.

Acer Vero Projector

There are many people these days who have replaced their TVs with home projectors for ultimate flexibility. This growing segment of consumer electronics represents an opportunity to start on the right foot with more sustainable practices from the get-go. There are plenty of areas where things can be improved, and Acer’s newest laser projector focuses on not only reducing energy consumption but also reducing your electricity bill.

The Acer Vero PL3510ATV projector touts an advanced laser-light projection system that promises 48% less power consumption thanks to the use of super laser phosphor illumination technology. Despite that lower figure, it still manages to put out a bright 4,800 ANSI lumens projection and sharp Full HD resolution. The mercury-free projector also uses 50% PCR plastic in its chassis to further reduce its overall impact on the environment.

In addition to its sustainability bragging rights, the Vero PL3510ATV projector also has some smart chops with 2D keystone and four-corner correction that automatically adjusts the projection to any viewing surface. In addition to directly connecting video sources, the projector also comes with an Android TV dongle for an even wider selection of things to watch or play. The Acer Vero PL3510ATV projector will be available only in EMEA markets starting in September for 1,399 EUR ($1,540).

The post Acer Aspire Vero 15 laptop and Vero projector offer sustainable productivity and entertainment first appeared on Yanko Design.

Tanner Goods recycled leather wallets make the old new again

Posted on by

Plenty of people love leather, from designers to fashionistas to connoisseurs and everyone in between. Leather looks great and also feels great in your hand or on your skin, and unlike most materials, it ages gracefully. In fact, the way leather ages is almost as unique as the person using it, developing different patina patterns depending on how it has been used, which can vary from person to person. As beautiful and biodegradable as it might be, its source and production are highly controversial. Synthetic leathers, on the other hand, just don’t cut it in terms of quality and sustainability. There are new kinds of more sustainable and more ethically-sourced leather being developed, but while we wait for them to become more commonplace, the least we can do is to make sure that not even a scrap of leather is wasted, which is exactly what these handsome leather wallets are doing.

Designer: Tanner Goods

While leather itself is more sustainable than materials that use synthetic fibers or chemicals, its creation is, unfortunately, a questionable process. Of course, it continues to be the material of choice for many premium products, many of which produce plenty of waste from scraps and cutoffs that are simply thrown out. While reusing these pieces won’t exactly eradicate the leather problem completely, it does mean that there could be less need for fresh leather every time a new product is made.

That’s the kind of smart reuse that Tanner Goods is proposing with its newest addition to its leather wallet collection. The wallets are made from 100% recycled leather that was ground from the cutoffs of their own leather gloves. These are then bound with natural latex, which means that the process and the materials are at least more sustainable than manufacturing leather wallets from scratch.

The results are wallets that are nearly identical to the non-recycled versions, except perhaps in the shades of brown that might have been a design choice to visually differentiate the two groups. In terms of the tactile qualities, Tanner Goods says that the wallets match those of the leather gloves they were sourced from, which might mean they’re also distinct from your conventional leather wallet. The “fresh” leather, for example, looks smoother and shinier, while the recycled leather has a more textured surface and less gloss. It’s not a perfect match, but it also gives the wallets their own distinct personalities.

It’s just a small drop in the sea that is the leather industry, and this strategy might not apply to larger leather products. A more substantial and long-term solution would be to produce more sustainable and ethical kinds of leather, such as those made from plants. Those still have kinks that need to be ironed out, but in the meantime, small efforts like this could still go a long way in making recycled leather more known and accepted, especially when it looks and feels like new leather anyway.

The post Tanner Goods recycled leather wallets make the old new again first appeared on Yanko Design.

Flek Pure is a translucent terrazzo-like panel made from 100% recycled materials

Posted on by

Although many people know about the benefits of using products made from recycled materials, few actively seek them out. The only times they do buy something that uses recycled materials is when it’s actually part of a bigger whole, and they have no choice on the matter. There are many presumptions and misconceptions about the quality of recycled products, which may have been true decades ago. Fortunately, designers, science, and technologies have moved forward since then, breaking the mold of what you can expect from recycled materials. This translucent resin-like material, for example, is so eye-catching and beautiful that you might not believe that it’s 100% made from bits and pieces that would have otherwise been thrown away.

Designer: 3form

Back in the day, you could easily tell recycled paper from virgin paper with a single look. Recycled paper is often rough and brown or gray, properties that are unappealing and sometimes even unusable in some applications. That’s no longer true today, of course, but there are still some things that are difficult to pull off when using recycled materials. Most products using recycled materials, for example, are often opaque, which is what makes this striking material even more impressive.

Flek Pure is a resin-like material for use as panels in doors, partitions, decorations, and anywhere else you would need a durable and sustainable slab that would be a stand-in for glass or fiberglass. The “Pure” variant, specifically, looks like frosted glass with a few random specs of colors that give it a terrazzo-like character. Like frosted glass, it is translucent, and you can make out shapes and shadows behind the panel, creating an interesting visual that still maintains your privacy.

That translucency is a rare trait among materials made from recycled bits, especially one that’s 100% recycled, like Flek Pure. The company uses a unique and meticulous process that creates pellets from internally sourced waste or upcycled materials and then sorts these pellets according to their clarity and cleanliness. This is how the translucent appearance is achieved, and the bits that aren’t so clear are still used to create the “imperfections” that give Flek its terrazzo aesthetic. Nothing is wasted, which makes Flek Pure an excellent solution for environment-conscious designers.

Of course, not everyone will find Flex Pure’s clear whiteness always appealing. There are other colorways available as well, which all maintain that translucent quality. The addition of color, however, does pull the sustainability a bit down to using only 92% recycled material, but it’s still a significant win, especially compared to opaque or muddy panels that use even less recycled parts.

The post Flek Pure is a translucent terrazzo-like panel made from 100% recycled materials first appeared on Yanko Design.