During my research studies at the Berlin University of the Arts, I focused on the development fields of “Circular Economy” and “Strategies of Sustainable Consumption”. It helped me to develop a further creative focus and to deepen and practically apply my strategic skills with regard to the development of thought and business models as well as service systems.
// Tetraparcel / processing circularity //
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Separating and returning the individual material components of beverage cartons to their respective raw material cycles for subsequent reuse is firstly difficult and secondly uneconomical. Beverage cartons represent a large part of our packaging waste, and contrary to popular belief, their share of the market continues to increase, to the detriment of reusable packaging.
Global trade has more than tripled the volume of parcels sent in the last 20 years. The forecast is rising. Therefore, more and more cardboard or cellulose fibres are needed, for which more and more trees have to be felled. Fortunately, cardboard can be fully recycled, but the process requires a lot of energy and consumes a lot of water. Moreover, the amount of recycled material is not sufficient in the long run.
The TetraParcel project combines these two facts in a profitable way with the aim of producing reusable shipping boxes from old beverage cartons. The process is very simple: the old cartons are cut to a uniform size, cleaned (simple brushing is enough) and heated. The PE film contained in the TetraPak now softens again. The material is then pressed into a new shape, with the hot, sticky PE film serving as the matrix material/binder. Pressed-in beads (common in sheet metal constructions) additionally stiffen the material. The result is a water-repellent, stable and reusable shipping box.
TetraParcel is climate-friendly in two ways: on the one hand, fewer beverage cartons are burned and thus less CO2 is produced, and on the other hand, fewer trees have to be felled, which has a positive effect on our CO2 balance.
// Kwerk / Slow furniture //
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Kwerk Slow furniture cooperates with manufacturers of sustainable furniture and sells it via an online platform. Consumers have the option of either borrowing the furniture for a small initial amount, purchasing it via a rent-to-buy model or buying it directly. When the furniture is no longer needed, it is collected from the consumer and returned to Kwerk. Here it is decided whether the furniture is returned to the cycle or whether it is returned to the raw material cycle in individual components. Kwerk helps people to experience quality and sustainable consumption without having to change their lives.
Kwerk – Slow Furniture was awarded the Hans Sauer Prize in 2019 as the best concept on the topic of “Designing Circular Society”.
// The upper cycle / sustainable furniture //
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During my research studies at the Berlin University of the Arts I have been working on different upcycling concepts for discarded panels of wood and timber in combination with a rental business model. Different methods of research such as surveys and interviews helped me to isolate the potentials within the field of furniture renting/leasing. The most surprising fact to me was that most people tend to have used furniture instead of new ones (dependant on the piece of furniture).
The shelving system „Hurst“ is made out of wall units from the 70s. Designing processes is essential during this project to be as cost-effective as possible. To keep investment costs low the production is only dependant on standard workshop machines: a circular saw and a machine to glue the colourful edges. They add a modern element to the old material. Furthermore, it is a branding instrument. Size and format of the system underlie the average size of the raw material, connecting devices are standard goods.
The work has been awarded as part of the Green Selection 2017 and received a nomination for the Young Creations Upcycling Award.
