Hello !
Today we focus on igniting your imagination with innovative projects that creatively repurpose discarded materials into valuable treasures, fostering innovation, self-expression, and community building. From turning trash into treasure, this transformative journey demonstrates that sustainability is not a sacrifice but an opportunity for creativity and points towards alternative business models.
We thought it could inspire you too.
DESIGN
From trash to souvenirs
To address the approximately 200 tonnes of waste annually abandoned in the Himalayas, Dutch design studio Super Local has collaborated with Nepalese non-profit Sagarmatha Next to launch the "Carry me back" initiative.
This participatory waste removal system harnesses the efforts of locals and tourists to collect, process, and repurpose waste in the Everest region by creating colorful souvenirs from trash that was carried out by mountain trekkers and transformed into pebble-shaped plastic stones resembling the most iconic peaks.
This initiative not only tackles waste issues but also provides funding for the non-profit's work.
SuperLocal ©
BEAUTY
A thoughtful Christmas
HAECKELS ©
In the midst of the holiday season's excessive consumerism and disregard for existing possessions, contributing to a disposable culture and environmental waste, the natural beauty and skincare brand Haeckels has launched a new Christmas campaign.
Named "Don't Give Rubbish", it sheds light on the importance of responsible gift-giving during the festive season. The brand's Christmas sets are wrapped in recycled paper and adorned with designs created from materials collected during Haeckels' beach cleaning initiatives. By encouraging the use of sustainable materials, the brand aims to inspire consumers to minimize waste during the festive season, turning it into a joyful and eco-conscious celebration.
FASHION
Make it better
Celia Pym ©
The trend of fixing instead of ditching is gaining momentum in the fashion world, and the era of discreet repairs is coming to an end. The 'visible mending' trend is on the rise, serving as both an act of resistance against fast fashion and a source of creativity. Instead of opting for replacements or remakes, this slow and deliberate approach seeks to enhance what already exists, embracing what is left behind. It embodies a gradual process of recovery or transformation, promoting a sense of value and appreciation for clothing.
London-based artist Celia Pym has been delving into the realms of damage and repair in textiles since 2007. Her ongoing project, 'The Catalogue of Holes,' spanning over seven years, is a collaborative endeavor focused on mending strangers' clothes. Her work has been exhibited in The Design Museum, London and she has been shortlisted for the Woman’s Hour Craft Prize and the inaugural Loewe Craft Prize.
ART
Untaped ressources
©Perpetual Pigments
Framed within the circular economy conversation, the Perpetual Pigments tests the outcomes of a pioneering research project conducted by Australia’s Deakin University’s Institute for Frontier Materials (IFM). The project aims to develop a process for extracting pigments from discarded textiles and fabrics, investigating their suitability for use in visual art practices. The textiles undergo a grinding process, transforming them into fine particles resembling colored clay or powder. These recycled pigments, produced by IFM, are then provided to artists for use in their paintings.
This project was carried out as part of Geelong's Design Week, where several artists were supplied with pigment powders to design works of art that were exhibited on one of Deakin University's campuses.
NUMBERS
Positive stats - for the records.
1,000
Tons of permanently stored CO2 captured every year by the Climate technology company Heirloom's first Direct Air Capture plant in the US.
15 500
It's the number of hectares of natural corridors to be regenerated with Parfum Christian Dior and WWF's latest partnership.
2 000 000
Estimated fungi species remaining yet to be discovered in what scientists have called “a new frontier of discovery” for life on Earth according to a new report.
At Numero11, we track, monitor and spot creative initiatives that we think make sense and do some good.
DECEMBER 2023 / NUMERO11