Innovative Recycled Materials in Furniture Design

Don’t throw your future away

“Avoid littering; it will sour our future.” Saying this quote raises the following question: What exactly is waste? Waste is stuff that is not needed or desired. Nothing in the universe will be wasted, according to this definition, since waste depends on the perspective of the individual. However, this whole thing is a delusion. Recognising that materials on Earth are wasted or unwanted and are disposed of by people according to their own preferences is a necessary step towards accepting reality. According to statistical data on waste generation, the more developed a nation is, the more waste it produces; Bermuda has the highest waste generation. India as a country generates 3% of the world’s waste. When we zoom in on India, we see that the more people live in cities, the more waste they produce; Delhi produces the most, while Ambikapur, in Chhattisgarh, produces the least. What, then, can be done with these priceless objects? Reuse, recycle, and reduce are the solutions. Innovative ideas to renovate this trash and turn it into gold can come from construction and other industries.

One’s waste is another’s gold.

To keep their homes tidy, people frequently leave trash around the house, but do they gain the same benefits? The answer is no. Trash and unwanted materials that are thrown away pollute the environment and humans because they end up in our food, drink, and air, thus endangering our health while also harming the planet. Since there is no such thing as “Planet B,” it is morally required of humans to protect and wisely utilise the resources that Mother Earth provides by adhering to the 3 R’s: reduce, recycle, and reuse. In addition, the materials can be upcycled.

While they differ from one another, recycling and upcycling go hand in hand. Recycling is the process of disassembling raw materials into usable products and repurposing them, whereas upcycling is the “creative reuse” of the raw materials, which is the conversion of unwanted, discarded, and obsolete items into new products that are either better or more environmentally friendly.

Tiny steps today, trash-free tomorrow (Fidanci, 2023)

Reducing waste generation and giving materials a new lease on life are achieved through recycling and upcycling. As a result, this will reduce the negative effects on the environment, such as deforestation, mining and the carbon footprint associated with the creation of new goods. Because they repurpose pre-existing materials to produce new goods while also lowering the cost of acquiring raw materials, upcycling and recycling are both economical. Furthermore, a few of the organisations have made use of the potential for recycling and upcycling as part of their business plans to employ regional artisans and craftspeople. Essentially, upcycling is an artistic medium that enables people and companies to showcase their creativity while advocating for a circular economy and environmental consciousness. It is more than just a sustainable way of thinking. Presenting the upcycling trend as an inventive fusion of style, environmental consciousness, and creativity. For designers striving to create secret-to-being, environmentally conscious, and functional pieces, upcycled materials have emerged as the go-to component. 

From Waste To Worth, We Make A Difference

Below are a few examples of how the furniture industry is working with unwanted materials to make a difference.

Styro-Wrap by Andreu Carulla (Carulla, 2020)

Leading the charge on this massive project are chef Matthew Orlando, entrepreneur Ronald Akili, and chef Will Goldfarb. AIR stands for Awareness, Impact, and Responsibility. The goal is to “inspire thought about food.”. Driven by the fundamental principles of zero-waste upheld by Air CCCC’s founders, the designer set out on a design expedition that centred on material repurposing, thereby inciting individuals to contemplate sustainability and enhanced living for the future. The designer created a unique spin on traditional styrofoam chairs by upcycling or recycling them, a concept they called “Styrowrap,” drawing inspiration from the traditional rattan-wrapped furniture found in Bali.         

The Minimono Project by Minimono (Morris, 2023)

German studio Minimono created the MiNiMONO project, which sees HDPE plastic sheets repurposed for a variety of items with the goal of encouraging the efficient use of resources across generations. The everyday items and furniture are completely recyclable, long-lasting, versatile, flat-packed, and simple to assemble.

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Aura Breathes New Life Into Kitesurfing Waste by Yotam Cohen and Assaf Shinfeld (Khan, 2024)

Yotam Cohen and Assaf Shinfeld investigate a myriad of possibilities for repurposing unconventional materials to produce valuable, aesthetically pleasing final products. Their creation of AURA, which is the outcome of turning kitesurfing parachutes into functional art, is one example of such an innovation. The creators’ attention is directed towards wastes that are not frequently investigated in the field of design; abandoned kite parachutes that were once used for water sports are one such example. The main raw material was the branded fabric, which was acquired from different places (like Facebook groups and surf clubs). It was then fashioned into colourful chairs, adding a touch of mystery to the process of making seating items out of such thin material. To create distinctive, intricate design elements, new creations and preexisting elements are combined. Air tubes were made into pillows or back supports; different weave types were combined with newly designed elements; and the cords from the kites were repurposed to stretch the fabric and give it its distinct shape.

Preserving The Material’s Essence And Parachute Technology

The founders’ affinity for the ocean and aquatic activities encouraged them to think creatively when it came to the abandoned kitesurfing parachutes and their vibrant, eye-catching potential. Subsequent investigation examined the rationale for the disposal of these parachutes, their quantity, and the feasibility of their future application. Preserving the fabric’s natural qualities and parachutist manufacturing techniques served as the project’s primary motto. By integrating every element, such as the fabric and “tubes,” Cohen and Shinfeld made sure the chairs’ original intent was maintained while still being useful. The minimalist design of the frame featured regular square frames made of thin iron with a softly curved arch to support the kite’s sail shape. 

Paper Clay By Design An Mor Turns Waste Into Furniture (Khan, 2022)

Design An Mor concentrated on finding solutions for the problem of industrial paper waste and turning it into modular furniture that is inclusive, flexible, and adaptive. Through the process of shaping paper into sturdy blocks of composite “clay,” the Paper Clay project investigates the aesthetic and mechanical qualities of paper. Each unit is given a natural mineral colouring injection that is sourced locally to create the illusion of marble. The modular tables, shelving units, chairs, and stools that are created by assembling the blocks together give unique design and additional versatility to homes and offices.

Oceanides, an Eco-Friendly Collection (Mint, 2021)

Oceanides is an eco-friendly and sustainable luxury table series showcasing the marvellous craftsmanship of Alex Mint. Following the principles of sustainability and planet conservation, these masterpieces are designed using natural materials like weeds from Posidonia Oceania, one of the oldest organisms until recently disposed of on Mother Earth, and Peloponnesian Tortora Marble. Sea plants have great tolerance potential, clean the water body from pollution, and convert carbon dioxide into oxygen. 

Superpop tables by Paolo Cappello for Miniforms (Dezeen, 2023)

Italian designer Paolo Cappello was assigned to design tables that were colourful, lightweight, yet had a desired finish like terrazzo. Using recycled plastic for Miniforms, Superpop tables were created as the end product. Superpop is a collection of lightweight, fun, sustainable furniture that can be used as stools, side tables, or coffee tables due to its unique shape and height. Together with the client, the designer created movable furniture that works in a variety of settings and situations to demonstrate that green design is not boring. To create the pieces, plastic that has been colour- and type-separated is heated to a low temperature of only 120 degrees, which prevents the plastic from mixing or changing its properties and allows for repeated recycling in the future. 

Working Towards A Waste-Free World For Future Generations

One person’s waste is another person’s gold, as the saying goes. To make the most of this opportunity to turn discarded materials into wealth, one must look for ways to expand their understanding of what constitutes waste, adopt a more environmentally conscious mindset, and consider the possibility of using these materials as a second or raw material after their initial use. In order to make the materials sustainable, one can change their properties while keeping them intact for recycling and repurposing into new, desirable items. Since future generations will likewise be without a planet, this will lessen the reliance on depleting natural resources in order to produce raw materials that can be preserved. As future generations learn from the sustainable practices their ancestors adopted, recycling and repurposing waste will be an experiential learning opportunity for both of us. The article can be concluded by saying a quote of Mahatma Gandhiji’s which is as follows: “Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s need but not every man’s greed.”

References:

1. Fidanci, E. (2023, October 24). Upcycled Materials in Furniture Innovation. Illustrarch [online]. Retrieved from: https://illustrarch.com/articles/18375-upcycled-materials-in-furniture-innovation.html#google_vignette
2. Andreu/Carulla (2020). AIR CCCC. [online]. Available at: https://www.andreucarulla.com/portfolio/espirit-roca-2/ (Accessed on February 20, 2024)
3. Morris, L. (2023, April 07). These 8 designs use waste and recycled materials in innovative ways. Frame, [online]. Retrieved from: https://frameweb.com/article/these-8-designs-use-waste-and-recycled-materials-in-innovative-ways
4. Khan, R. (2024, February 06). Discarded Kitesurfing Parachutes Shape Vibrant Chairs by Yotam Cohen and Assaf Shinfeld Designboom, [online]. Retrieved from: https://www.designboom.com/design/discarded-kitesurfing-parachutes-shape-chairs-yotam-cohen-assaf-shinfeld-02-06-2024/
5. Khan, R. (2022, September 4). Design An Mor Recycles Industrial Waste Paper Into Marble-Surfaced Modular Furniture, Designboom, [online]. Retrieved from: https://www.designboom.com/design/design-an-mor-recycles-waste-paper-marble-surfaced-modular-furniture-09-02-2022/
6. Alex Mint (2021). Oceanides: An Eco-Friendly Collection. [online] Available At: https://alexmint.com/oceanides/ (Accessed on February 21, 2024)
7. Dezeen Staff (2023, September 27). Superpop Tables by Paolo Cappello for Miniforms. Dezeen, [online]. Retrieved From: https://www.dezeen.com/2023/06/27/superpop-tables-paolo-cappello-miniforms-dezeen-showroom/

Image References 

1. 1_Data on Waste Generated_Goswami, S, Maurya, L (2012)
2. 2&3_ StyroWrap_Carulla, A (2020)
3. 4&5_Minimono Project_Minimono (2021)
4. 6_Aura: Giving a New Life to KiteSurfing waste_Cohen, Y and Shinfield, A (2023)
5. 7_Aura: Giving a New Life to KiteSurfing waste_Cohen, Y and Shinfield, A (2023)
6. 8_ Paper Recycled Furniture using Paper Clay by Design An Mor_Khan, R (2022)
7. 9_ Paper Recycled Furniture using Paper Clay by Design An Mor_Khan, R (2022)
8. 10_ Oceanides, An Eco-Friendly Collection_Mint, A (2021)
9. 11_ Oceanides, An Eco-Friendly Collection_Mint, A (2021)
10. 12_Superpop tables by Paolo Cappello for Miniforms_Dezeen Staff (2023)