The idea of mass customisation took over the product industry a few years back. One of the best examples is the Frietag messenger bag; this bag uses a simple design and recycled construction materials create a individual and unique product.

It was 1993 when Markus and Daniel Freitag, brothers and graphic designers, were in need of a bag. Zurich locals ride bikes. And they get rained on a lot. So the Freitag Bros. wanted a functional, tough, and water-resistant bag to carry their designs. Inspired by the colorful traffic on the highway extension in front of their apartment, they sewed together a messenger bag from an old truck tarp, took seat belts for straps and used a spare bicycle inner tube to keep the edges from fraying.

Frietag material supply chian and bag

London Remade’s “Recycling Mixed Plastics” seminar was held at the Wellcome Collection building in Euston on Monday 29 September. I went along to listen and learn. It was good to see so many friendly faces in a very well attended event - there was standing room only at the back of the auditorium, emphasising how timely and interesting this subject is.

click the logo to download presentations

Read more »

Waste Neutral is a novel waste management philosophy developed by staff at the Eden Project. The philosophy encourages people to balance the weight of waste they throw out with the weight of recycled material in new products. Hence, being waste neutral means that no more waste reaches landfill.

Alongside ‘reduce, reuse, recycle’ the Eden Project suggests that we should consider ‘reinvest’ to support products that divert recycled materials from landfill and do their bit to close the loop.

Waste Neutral

The Eden Project awards the Waste Neutral Mark to products which have been made with recycled materials and responsible manufacturing processes. These products helps neutralise the amount of waste that reaches landfill. The Reee Chair does this, saving 2.4kg of waste plastic from landfill, and will be launched with the waste neutral logo embossed onto each rib of the chair.

Pli asks: Can you do your bit to be Waste Neutral?

For more information on the Waste Neutral scheme visit www.edenproject.com/wasteneutral

Christopher Pett from Pli will be on the panel of the Materials Masterclass on Thursday September 18, as part of the Greengaged event series, hosted by the Design Council during the London Design Festival. The seminar will run from 2 pm until 3.30 pm and there are lots more interesting lectures and discussions to follow on that day. You can register here. Come along and get involved in the discussion — we want to make it an informed and productive event.

greengaged seminar series