It is no longer enough for an object to be made from recycled or recyclable materials. This is important, but several designers have shown that product design can go further. They are now considering the production and disposal cycle, in a broader and more sustainable vision that encompasses the future of the planet. Innovation is a natural consequence of this search. The development of new materials and processes borders on invention, which makes these objects even more interesting. Some raw materials don't even need to be created - they already exist in the form of waste and can be transformed into a new resource. Food for Buzz is one example, developed by Matilde Boelhouwer. The Dutch designer draws attention to bio-design by creating a set of five artificial flowers in silk-screened polyester. They are not only beautiful, but they also turn rain into sugar water.
Each flower has specific qualities that attract bees, butterflies and moths. As a result, they can serve as an emergency food source for pollinators that inhabit the city.
At
Milan Design Week 2019, gallery owner Rossana Orlandi challenged creators and launched the Ro Plastic Prize competition. One of the winners was German designer Alexander Schul, who designed an entire furniture collection using recycled plastic.
Another highlight of the Ro Plastic Prize was the work of Reform Studio, led by Hend Riad and Mariam Hazem. Using reused plastic bags, they created a line of colorful fabrics called Plastex.
Innovation is also in Brazil's DNA and the Campana Brothers are a reference. Fernando and Humberto Campana created the Sobreiro line in cork, which is not only sustainable but also completely recyclable. An armchair and three cabinets elevate this simple raw material and show its versatility in design.
