Design Favorites - December 2023
As makers of electronics and electronics-adjacent products, it is important to take stock of how we are making our products and where our products go after they have been used. Often, they end up in landfills. The issue of e-waste is a major one, and one to take more seriously. To provide some statistics, only 20% of e-waste is properly recycled. And over 50 million tons of e-waste is produced every year. That is astonishing, and change must be made by consumers and manufacturers alike.
Here are four innovative designs that utilize e-waste and revolutionize what it means for electronics to be sustainable.
Electronic Waste Stool
Image: Razeen Mohammed
This adorable little stool looks as though it is made of wood, but really it is made from electronic packaging! Designer Razeen Mohammed wanted to create a stool that was functional and portable, as well as carbon neutral. The prototype for the EDGAR stool only cost a whopping $0.29 to make, further showing that brilliant design does not have to mean expensive materials. There is an additional deeper message here: purchasing electronics does not have to mean more harm to the planet.
Gigs 2 Go
Image: BOLTGROUP
This “Tear and Share” data pack, Gigs 2 Go, makes it easy to share files and look cool while doing it! This on-the-go data pack is crazy simple to use, too. You just tear off a thumb drive tab and plug it into your computer. This product is also super sustainable and made from 100% post-consumer recycled paper. So, you can feel good about using it. Unsurprisingly, Gigs 2 Go has won a Silver American Advertising Award as well as a Gold Award at the International Design Awards.
Memory Capsule
;Image: Samsung/Dezeen
Memory Capsule is a collaborative effort between Samsung and Dezeen to facilitate the recycling of smartphones. Many consumers are reluctant to get rid of their old devices because they hold memories and information they do not want to let go of. Upon connection of the capsule’s USB to a device, the product lights up with an LED display that marks the date of the first piece of data from the discarded phone. Users can then retrieve photos and other files from the old phone. The capsule is also made from recycled materials, so users can contribute to circularity while creating nostalgia.
E-Waste Light
Image: Rodrigo Alonso
Chilean designer Rodrigo Alonso has created a set of lights that is made from e-waste. A local recycling plant donates the e-waste to Alonso free of charge, which consists of recycled iron mold and aluminum. It’s an aesthetically pleasing fixture that can act as a conversation piece in any space! Rodrigo has also made a collection of stools made from old CDs, keyboards, cables, and other electronics set in resin. If you are a fan of sustainable living, these are some great pieces to add to your space.
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Design Favorites – November 2023
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