These projects prove upcycling is hot right now
From new clothing to Christmas trees, this is the future
7 years ago
From big art displays to trendy fashion items, the upcycling trend is sweeping through Thailand right now. The process involves taking discarded materials, like plastic and rubber, and creatively reusing them to make something useful—as opposed to recycling, which breaks the materials down first. The entire world could do with a little more upcycling, but Thailand in particular has a bad relationship with plastic (looking at you, 7-Eleven). That’s why we’re thrilled to see some of the projects below.
Credit: www.facebook.com/ECOALF/
Upcycling the Oceans
Spanish clothing line Ecoalf is championing what it calls “trashion” (you guessed it, a combination of “trash” and “fashion”). Founder of the brand Javier Goyeneche has made it his mission to turn throw away items into useable, functional ready-to-wear. The fashion is not bad, but it’s the foundation’s efforts to clean up the oceans that we love. Thailand was recently the first country in Asia to take part in one of Ecoalf’s programs—a dive off the coast of Koh Samui. The materials collected there will be used to make the brand’s patented coats, bags and shirts, which, if you ask us, look pretty damn fashionable.
Scrap Lab
A long-standing project by Kasetsart University’s faculty of Architecture under the management of Prof. Dr. Singh Intarachooto, who is famous for his own brand Osisu. The lab functions as a place for students to learn about upcycling and using discarded materials to build functional clothing, furniture and whatever they can think of. Recently, a group of the lab’s students won a B200,000 scholarship from Onyx Hospitality Group for their upcycling designs.
Credit: www.siamdiscovery.co.th
Christmas Tree at Siam Discovery
Siam Discovery together with Tourism Authority of Thailand and PTT Global Chemical PLC have joined forces to give Christmas a dose of upcycling fever this year. Out front of the shopping center you’ll find a 1.5-meter-tall Christmas tree made from completely upcycled materials, there’s also a glow-in-the-dark 3.6-meter-tall polar bear. Both sculptures are made entirely out of plastic waste, and will welcome mall-goers throughout Jan 2, 2018. Nearby, you’ll also find an area for plastic bottle donations titled the “Trash to Treasure Machine.”
Alternative brands
There are more Thai brands than ever jumping on the eco-friendly bandwagon, and we are big fans. Upcycling is playing a role is this too, with countless homegrown brands making waves on Thai soil and overseas. Abandoned tires, vintage clothes and bamboo fiber are the new sources of creative collections. On top of that, these brands are becoming easier to find thanks to eco-centered shopping areas like Ecotopia in Siam Discovery.
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