2021 Year in Review: Circular by Design


Supernovas Turns Waste Plastic into Furniture, Homewares, and Stationery


With the motto ‘transforming yesterday’s waste into tomorrow’s living,’ the mission of circular design and lifestyle brand Supernovas is clear. We spoke to founder Massimiliano Rossi to find out more.



Yinka Ilori Turns Discarded Chairs into Sculptural Pieces With a Story


Yinka Ilori draws on his British and Nigerian heritage to tell new stories by turning discarded chairs into sculptural pieces, particularly his breakthrough collection, If Chairs Could Talk.



Vestre Turns “Ownerless” Ocean Plastics into Public Benches


Norwegian manufacturer of public furniture, Vestre, created the world’s first bench made entirely from ownerless and recycled ocean plastics. The piece is right in line with the brand’s goals of creating social meeting places for millions of people.



Model No. Turns Food Waste + Reclaimed Wood Into Home Furnishings


Model No. makes bespoke furniture with short-lead times out of food waste and reclaimed wood by using the latest 3D-printing technology rather than petroleum-based plastics that are bad for the environment.



Weez & Merl Turn Plastic Carrier Bags Into Housewares, Surfboard Fins + More


UK-based makers Weez & Merl melt and marble plastic waste – such as carrier bags – and turn it into 100% recycled housewares by using local businesses’ free polyethylene waste.



Very Good and Proper Turns Hemp Fiber + Recycled Plastic Into Outdoor Chairs


Very Good and Proper, along with AC/AL, created an outdoor chair made using a new bio-composite technology that combines hemp fiber with recycled European plastic.



Form Us With Love and Baux Turn Textile Offcuts Into Acoustic Panels


Form Us With Love and BAUX teamed up to turn textile offcuts into a commercial acoustic solution that’s fully compostable at the end of its life. We spoke to Jonas Pettersson to find out more.



Anti Turns Discarded and Broken Umbrellas Into Desk and Table Lamps


Anti collects discarded and broken umbrellas, disassembles them, then upcycles them to create desk and table lamps. One man’s broken umbrella is another’s treasure!



Mon Terra Turns Waste Plant Pots Into Furniture and Accessories


Mon Terra, founded by Tamara Efrat and Yuval Dishon, turns agricultural plastic waste into furniture and accessories for your home. The ecologically committed venture specifically addresses plastic waste produced by the agricultural industry.



Disharee Mathur Turns Damaged Sinks and Toilets Into Vases and Accessories


Disharee Mathur is an interdisciplinary designer whose NewBlue project reimagines damaged sanitary ware into vases and accessories as a conversation between a traditional pottery craft, material science, and design.



Martin Thübeck Turns Sawmill and Tannery Waste Into Modular Furniture


Martin Thübeck designed the two-piece Betula Collection with a frame made from identical pieces of reclaimed wood, connected by a single joint – both pieces in the collection have been designed for disassembly.



Pearson Lloyd Turns Waste Food Packaging Into Desk Accessories


bFRIENDS, by Bene and Pearson Lloyd, is a collection of fun, 3D-printed desktop accessories made from discarded food packaging. Pen pots, trays, and a smart phone stand, are all 3D-printed from 100% recycled PLA.