Upcycle is one of SCGP concept that waste materials are recycled through a design and innovation process to prolong the material life cycle and create new products which are both distinctive and value-added.

To represent the reinforcement of the community enterprise development projects, SCGP held a workshop in which the community enterprises in the field of handicrafts and students of design and materials science can share new ideas and create an invention from SCGP’s waste materials. Moreover, THINKK Studio, a Thai design studio, came to support them in the design thinking process and waste development.

Mr. Decha Archjananun, Creative Director and Co-Founder of THINKK Studio, told about the studio’s diverse work from interior design, and furniture design to the experiment with a variety of materials. It, therefore, became a source of interest in the value-added of natural wasted.

For example, ‘City Materials’ project that the team created a new invention by selecting 6 waste materials in Bangkok including plastic bags, coffee grounds, construction waste, incense sticks, government lottery paper, and scrap wood from cutting branches.

‘DEWA & DEWI 2021’, was the idea to create furniture such as student desk sets by using waste materials from entrepreneurs in the industry and agriculture. The design was considered by prolongation and cost-effectiveness of using natural resources.

At the recent “TRANSFORMATION” Waste to Value workshop, Ms. Jarawee Thongboonruang, Project Coordinator, Mr. Phattharakorn Maneesilawong and Ms. Satita Saengsawat, Junior Furniture and Product Designer of THINKK Studio, shared the process of thinking, experiment and design on the transformation of 4 types of scrap materials as SCGP provided including Paper Bands, recycled plastic ropes from the blowing process of plastic bottles, plastic straws, and crushed recycled plastic.

The designers started by investigating the different properties of materials such as the Paper Band and recycled plastic ropes, which are suitable for forming by weaving and polishing in Thai handicraft styles. The cylindrical plastic tube was proper for a comfortable grip. Crushed plastic was supposed to be melted into a template and formed like a plate with a durable surface.

Ultimately, THINKK Studio formed 6 products from waste materials with different properties that we could use in our daily life: vase, lamp, handbag, tray, fan and tote bag. All participants in this workshop followed the instruction for these experiments afterward.

The workshop generated more engagement among the community enterprises and students to let them bring the waste plastic bags to the heating process until they come out in thin sheets. These sheets became decorations with colourful and unique designs.

Mr. Decha stated that the value added of waste materials began at the elementary level for individuals, such as using simple handicraft skills to make waste or household waste last longer. From the individual level extended to the community level where waste disposal and collection, waste processing must be considered.

Furthermore, waste development at the industrial level has required collaboration with a network of the private sectors, government and research agencies because the significant thing is how to redesign waste material as effective as a new design and conform to the consumer lifestyle.

Reviving the waste material through value-added may depend on the attitude and creativity of designers to foresee the result and determine how the product will be enhanced throughout the process of thought, touch and experiment with the possibilities of invention without any limitations.

As THINKK Studio experimented with SCGP waste materials in this workshop which is more successful since we received many good feedbacks from participants. It is such a place providing opportunities to share creative perspectives and skills among students and community enterprises, who specialize in exquisite craftsmanship as the original capital.

Lastly, it assured that all parties were inspired to develop their inventions. Upcycling notion should not manifest as a temporary trend but it is the key variable that will drive the future direction of product design with environment concerns.