Ayse Birsel and Bibi Seck designed the Taboo Collection with the idea of confronting the vast amount of the plastic waste in Senegal. The stool and table -- which draw inspiration from how Western Africans sit -- is made from 75% recycled material.
To create the Taboo Collection, Birsel and Seck collaborated with a Transtech manufacturer of septic tanks that uses recycled materials in its process. The Taboo Collection furniture comes in a range of colors; the color is dependent upon the color of the plastic being recycled to create the furniture. The furniture can be used both indoors and outdoors.
What is innovative about these design pieces is how they blend environmental values and the functional elements of daily life into an aesthetically appealing product.
Plastic Bag Benches
Taboo Collection Reuses Bags & Bottles to Create Functional Furniture
Trend Themes
1. Recycled Furniture - Designing furniture using recycled materials to promote sustainability and reduce plastic waste
2. Eco-friendly Design - Incorporating environmental values into design to create products that are functional and aesthetically appealing
3. Circular Design - Using waste as a resource to create new products through innovative design
Industry Implications
1. Furniture - Opportunity to integrate sustainable design and environmentally friendly materials into furniture manufacturing and increase awareness around sustainable practices
2. Recycling - Opportunity to explore new ways of using recycled materials and creating innovative products for various industries
3. Manufacturing - Opportunity to incorporate circular design strategies and practices into manufacturing processes to reduce waste and promote sustainability