It is easy to forget that discarded objects can come from a myriad of places; designer Joost Gehem focuses on dead people's places. Although that might be a little morbid, it is more disgusting to think about how many things that are thrown out with every death. Joost Gehem states that in the Netherlands alone "135,000 deaths, 32,000 divorces, 10,000 bankruptcies, and thousands of hospitalizations occur each year." He goes on to note, "Many household inventories are left without a home. If heirs and dealers have no interest in the household goods, they usually end up in the local dump.”
Founding the Transformation and Distribution Centre for Abandoned Household Items, Joost Gehem provides a better place for these neglected items. Of course, they are ground and turned into stools, but at least they find another purpose in life.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Discarded Object Repurposing
- There is an opportunity for businesses to capitalize on repurposing discarded objects, such as household items left behind by deceased individuals, into useful products.
- Sustainable Furniture Design
- Businesses can explore the innovation of creating furniture designs that are not only sustainable but also incorporate repurposed materials, like stools made from discarded household inventories.
- Conscious Consumerism
- Consumers are increasingly seeking products and services that align with their values, presenting a potential market for businesses that offer ethically-sourced and environmentally-friendly furniture made from repurposed materials.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Furniture Manufacturing
- The furniture manufacturing industry has an opportunity to incorporate discarded objects into their production processes, creating unique and sustainable furniture pieces.
- Waste Management
- The waste management industry can explore partnerships and initiatives with designers and organizations to divert household items from landfills and repurpose them into useful products.
- Home Decor and Design
- Businesses in the home decor and design industry can tap into the growing demand for sustainable and socially-conscious products by offering furniture pieces made from repurposed materials, like stools crafted from abandoned household belongings.
