Graduate designer Laura Cahill did a little research and discovered that old books are difficult to recycle because of the glue used to bind them. So she started collecting them and created vases as well as furniture such as a lamp stand and a stool.
It takes a second look to realize that her vases are really made from sculpted books. It helps she is handy with a band saw, because that’s how she carves up the books to wrap, spine side in, around test tubes to form functional vases.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Upcycling
- The trend of upcycling waste materials into new products presents an opportunity for sustainable innovation.
- Sculpted Book Art
- The trend of using book pages in visual art and sculptures presents an opportunity for artists to create unique pieces.
- Eco-friendly Home Decor
- The trend of eco-friendly home decor presents an opportunity for designers to create unique pieces using sustainable materials.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Furniture
- The furniture industry can innovate by using sustainable materials, such as old books, to create unique pieces.
- Art
- The art industry can innovate by using book pages in sculptures and visual art to create unique pieces.
- Home Goods
- The home goods industry can innovate by creating eco-friendly products, like vases made from recycled books, for consumers looking to live sustainably.
