PLASTIC BAG TOP

Salvedged fabric from Paul Smith.

Plastic bags from Asda.

The problem with recycling is that rather than solving a problem you are merely cleaning up after bad design and the virgin material is downgraded until it reaches  landfill. The process is merely delayed. Until products are designed so that they can be safely disposed of at the end of their life,

up-cyling is a practical, creative solution.

Up-cycling enables the designer to increase the value of post consumer waste. By creating objects of desire the aim is to build an emotional bond between product and consumer so they are less likely to be thrown away. Such products are also culturally relevant and a indicitive of their time in history. End of life for these products is more likely to be by time capsule rather than land fill.