Case Study

The Upcycle Exchange:

A retail shop that accepts secondhand textiles, fabrics and handcraft materials. People can also purchase the items in a very low price. Moreover, if you donate items to them, they will also pay you back according to the value per basket. Besides being the bridge of old items for new consumers, they also become the supporter of upcycler community who wish to supply their products here. Their activities are extremely benefitting creative communities and teaching public how to be more appreciative over old possessions.

Rebuilding Exchange:

A market that collects rebuilding materials. Their mission is to divert and reuse landfill waste to create something unique and fashionable. Above is the clock that is made of leftover wood veneers. Such activities really are beneficial in reducing waste and managing it for creative purposes. 

Ikea Hackers:

An online community that share creative ways in 'hacking' ikea products by creating something completely out of the original technique. The response of public is very good. It is exciting to know other people's mind-blowing creations. 

REVAMP!

COLLABORATIVE CONSUMPTION FEAT UPCYCLE

There are so many unwanted items staying in our garage, left with no touch because our space just can't accommodate or they simply lost their charm. One man's trash may be another man's treasure. 

10M items of furniture is thrown away each year in UK

By 2018 UK landfill is expected to run out

90 Tons of landfill waste is saved by furniture reused

Definitely have to do something about this number.

Revamp! is my proposed space where people can barter their furnitures. They bring in their old items and in return they will get points. The points may be use to get new items that are displayed at the showroom whether the items are in original condition or had been upcycled. Those products worth certain points as well. If you don't have enough points to be bartered, you can use money to pay or donate more things to get more points.

Proposal

COLLABORATIVE CONSUMPTION 

What's Mine is Yours

Currently, the idea of collaborative consumption is very trending. TIME magazine even mentioned collaborative consumption as one of ten ideas that will change the world. During the 20th century, people have blindly consumed things excessively and created massive waste for our future to be burdened with. However, the realization has started to come up and with the warning of our nature, people need to find ways to change their behavior. Collaborative consumption promotes the traditional behavior of sharing, lending, bartering, gifting as a replacement of owning or buying.  

Collaborative consumption has the impact of reducing hyper-consumerism and waste. However, doesn't consumerism is the one that keeps the economy wheel running? Collaborative consumption can be mixed with collaborative creation. 

When exchanging possessions is incorporated with modifying the items into something more unique and durable, sharing will be more attractive, isn't it?