Recession Recyclovations

Reuse is more important than ever thanks to the credit crunch

Implications - Recycling has been a monumental part of the environmental movement for a long time, however, during the credit crunch, reusing old materials for new products is more prevalent than ever. Upcycled products come in every genre, from arts and crafts, to home decor and even fashion.

Trend Themes

  1. Upcycling — As consumers look to reduce their carbon footprint on the planet, upcycling or repurposing old materials into new products has become more prevalent.
  2. Recycling Innovation — With eco-conscious consumers on the rise, products manufactured from natural or upcycled materials are in demand, giving rise to innovative recycling practices and initiatives.
  3. DIY Culture — DIY artifacts are appealing to many individuals as this gives them a sense of empowerment; companies that allow buyers to feel in control and valued of the design process will find success in the growing DIY culture.

Industry Implications

  1. Upcycling Industry — The upcycling industry is on the rise, as more companies turn to alternative methods of production and repurposing of materials to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers.
  2. Recycling and Waste Management Industry — As new and innovative recycling practices and initiatives arise, there is a growing need for professionals in the recycling and waste management industry that can help address the global waste crisis.
  3. DIY Market — With the rise of the DIY culture, companies that cater to the DIY market have the potential for growth and success, as consumers look for ways to customize and take control of their product design process.
5.1
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness
Patterns
Megatrends
12 Featured, 66 Examples:
2,823,278 Total Clicks
Date Range:
Apr 09 — Jun 09
Trending:
Warm
Consumer Insight Topics:

Featured Examples

play_circle_filledGarbage Bag Fashion
Garbage Bag Fashion
Michelle Jank's PonyStep Editorial Finds Beauty in Trash
Michelle Jank says she was inspired by “the idea of making something grand out of nothing special/rubbishy things,” for her exclusive Ponystep editorial with Paul Scala. The shoot took place on a beach… MORE
Recycled T-Shirt Dresses
Recycled T-Shirt Dresses
Fun Eco Chic Looks by Angela Johnson Designs
Angela Johnson Designs aims to please eco-conscious consumers who have a humorous side with fun dresses and gowns made from recycled tee shirts. Johnson hunts down the t-shirts from thrift shops and… MORE
Recycled Paper Furniture
Recycled Paper Furniture
Way Basics' Green Designs Boast Tool-Free Assembly
Way Basics is a line of colorful and family-friendly eco furniture that makes your interiors fun. Way Basics furniture is made entirely from recycled paper, and it's the first eco-friendly furniture line… MORE
Suitcase Sofas
Suitcase Sofas
Recycle Your Old Suitcases Into Eco Furniture
This collection of eco furniture from MayBeProduct illustrates the design possibilities for funky home decor made from old suitcases. Not only will making these suitcase sofas on your own exert new style… MORE
Cardboard Carpets
Cardboard Carpets
Ravishing Recycled Rugs Made of Flattened Boxes by Wendy Plomp
The work of Dutch designer Wendy Plomp, these impressive cardboard carpets are made from flattened-out boxes, turning a throwaway object into a design delight. Given that I am not a huge fan of vacuuming,… MORE
Eco-Chic Winter Jewelry
Eco-Chic Winter Jewelry
Kumvana Gomani's Recycled Plastic Accessories
Canada-born Kumvana Gomani is the designer behind these eco-friendly pieces of recycled plastic jewelry. Gomani's specialty is creatively turning recycled soda and water bottles into winter-inspired jewels.… MORE
play_circle_filledCrazy Recycled Catamarans
Crazy Recycled Catamarans
‘Plastiki' Stays Afloat With 12,000 Plastic Bottles
A gigantic boost to recycled products, Plastiki is a 60-foot catamaran made buoyant with 12,000 two-liter plastic bottles along its hull with the plans to carry its creator, David de Rothschild, across… MORE
DIY Laptop Stands
DIY Laptop Stands
Recycled Cardboard Is Fast, Fun & Cheap for Computer Geeks
The makers of fast, fun, and cheap (whoever they might be) have come up with the cardboard laptop stand. This innovative arts and crafts endeavor takes a simple cardboard box and, in a matter of minutes,… MORE
play_circle_filledRecycled Can Origami
Recycled Can Origami
Handmade Jurassic Dinosaur T-Rex Made From Old Coke Can
How amazing is this little dinosaur made out of a recycled Coca-Cola can? It’s only 3cm tall, but it makes a huge statement. This 100% handmade robot made using an empty soda can was made by cutting… MORE
Recycled Dining
Recycled Dining
The BB02 Table and Chairs by Not Neutral are Made With Old Jugs and Bottles
The BB02 Table and Chair set is made out of recycled milk jugs and detergent bottles, garbage cans, and other recycled materials. The eco-friendly design can be used indoors or outdoors and is created… MORE
Recycled Couture Crafts
Recycled Couture Crafts
Design Miami Uses Fendi Scraps at Milan Furniture Fair 2009
The revival of crafts was probably the most clear trend at the Milan Furniture Fair 2009. No doubt due to the global credit crisis, there were plenty of examples. Some of the highlights included Urquiola’s… MORE
Rad Recycled Records
Rad Recycled Records
Obsolete Records & CDs Find a New Life
As upcycling and salvage come more into fashion, many innovators are looking at old records and CDs as a source of inspiration. Creative people are using them to make quirky decorations, artwork and jewelry.… MORE

Related Examples

Cardboard Hangers
Cardboard Hangers
Ditto's Eco-Friendly Hangers Save Land Fill Space
25 Cardboard Home Accessories
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From Blankets to Fake Taxidermy
play_circle_filledPixelated Furniture
Pixelated Furniture
Tord Boontje's ‘Digital Memories' Series Digitalizes Nature
97 Recycled Art Pieces
97 Recycled Art Pieces
Planet-Improving Creations to Celebrate Earth Day 2009
play_circle_filledFoldable Home Interiors
Foldable Home Interiors
Small Living Spaces Call for Foldable Furniture
Honeycomb Furniture
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The Hive Chair by Marco Torres Mimics Nature's Sweet Design
Compact Cardboard Furniture
Compact Cardboard Furniture
Pedro Gomes' Sustainable & Collapsible Home Decor
One-of-a-Kind Organic Decor
One-of-a-Kind Organic Decor
Custom Luxury Rustic Wood Furniture by Urban Hardwoods
Cardboard Architecture
Cardboard Architecture
Play Houses and Furniture Made of Corrugated Boxes
Nature-Inspired Rugs
Nature-Inspired Rugs
FIQ Accent Mats Give Any Room a New Look
Rustic Recycled Furniture
Rustic Recycled Furniture
Restoration Hardware Factory Cart Table is a Well-Worn Decor Addition
15 Fabulous Creations Made From Recycled or Reclaimed Wood
15 Fabulous Creations Made From Recycled or Reclaimed Wood
Cardboard Home Decor
Cardboard Home Decor
Recession-Friendly Interior Design From Giorgio Caporaso
play_circle_filledFlatpack Forts
Flatpack Forts
The 'Villa Julia' Cardboard Playhouse Lets Kids Play Designer
Return of LPs
Return of LPs
Old School Records Are Hot Again At Music Stores Like HMV
Childish Minimalist Furniture
Childish Minimalist Furniture
BObles Creates Adorable Yet Simple Kids Designs
Corrugated Workspaces
Corrugated Workspaces
It Aint No Disco In A Cardboard Office, But it Certainly is Creative
Recycled Jeans As Furniture
Recycled Jeans As Furniture
Japanese Sofa Maker Turns Old Denim Pants Into Stools
Artistic Cork Chairs
Artistic Cork Chairs
The Korkart Furniture Genius of Germany's Gabriel Wiese
Crowdsourced Furniture Designs
Crowdsourced Furniture Designs
Champagne Cork Competition Yields Miniature Seating
Recycled Plastic Streetwear
Recycled Plastic Streetwear
Quirky Accessories by Zeke's Lunchbox Push Boundaries of Fashion
play_circle_filledRecycled Pen Cars
Recycled Pen Cars
Costas Schuler's 'Mercedes Pens Art Car' Will Take you To Pentopia
Rugs Made of Gloves
Rugs Made of Gloves
'A Proper Lady' Eco Mat Made From Vintage Accessories
Quirky Recycled Fabric Jewelry
Quirky Recycled Fabric Jewelry
Eccentric and Eco-Marvelous Fiber Millefiori Accessories
Striking Floor Decor
Striking Floor Decor
Embellish Your Home with HZL Arty Style and Luxury Rugs
Faux Pebble Floors
Faux Pebble Floors
Pachamama ‘Eclipse' Leather Rugs Look Like River Rocks
Recycled Paper Seating
Recycled Paper Seating
The Shredded Paper and Pulp Chairs Showcase Ecovation
play_circle_filledCastaway Plastic Art
Castaway Plastic Art
Recycled PET Bottles Turned Gorgeous Masterpieces
Recycled Awareness Apparel
Recycled Awareness Apparel
Project 7's Environmental T-Shirts Made From Bottles
26 Fierce Recycled Fashions
26 Fierce Recycled Fashions
DIY Robots from Aluminum Cans
DIY Robots from Aluminum Cans
The Canbot Helps You Recycle, Kinda
35 Inventive Cardboard Creations
35 Inventive Cardboard Creations
Balloon Couture
Balloon Couture
Daisy's Inflatable Dresses
Baby Clothes from Recycled Shirts
Baby Clothes from Recycled Shirts
BeeBee
Jewelry from Recycled Vinyl Records
Jewelry from Recycled Vinyl Records
Aroha Silhouettes Necklaces
Recyclable Workspaces
Recyclable Workspaces
The Cardboard Office
Chic Putting Green Rugs
Chic Putting Green Rugs
'Putt Up or Shut Up' Flooring
Faux Animal Skin Rugs
Faux Animal Skin Rugs
Vintage Dutch Blanket Polar Bear Carpets
Rugs from Dead Pets
Rugs from Dead Pets
DogCarpets
Road Kill Rugs
Road Kill Rugs
Offensive Home Decor
Industrial Parts as Home Art
Industrial Parts as Home Art
Stig Recycled Furniture
Recycled Clothes Furniture
Recycled Clothes Furniture
The Meltdown Fleece Chair
23 Funky Rugs, Carpets and Floor Decor
23 Funky Rugs, Carpets and Floor Decor
Rabbit Garbage Bags
Rabbit Garbage Bags
MAQ Inc Makes Trash Cute
Oil Barrel Chairs
Oil Barrel Chairs
Recycled Furniture by Vaho Works
Table in a Suitcase
Table in a Suitcase
Portable Cardboard Table
Vinyl Records Making a Comeback
Vinyl Records Making a Comeback
36% Rise in Sales
Recycled Clothes Cushions
Recycled Clothes Cushions
Jacket Pillows
Top 21 Recycled Plastic Bag Creations
Top 21 Recycled Plastic Bag Creations
Recycled Furniture
Recycled Furniture
Chairs Made of Cans, Bathtubs, Shopping Carts
Trash Into Art
Trash Into Art
Amazing Beer Can Butterflies (UPDATE)
Recycled Furniture Inspired by Chickens
Recycled Furniture Inspired by Chickens
Ryan Frank's Free Range Plastic Chair
Artvertising (Update)
Artvertising (Update)
Red Bull Art of Can Exhibit
Inflatable Couture
Inflatable Couture
Dresses Made Entirely of Twisted Balloons
Recycled Suitcase Chair
Recycled Suitcase Chair
Sit Bag
Fashion From Recycled Plastic
Fashion From Recycled Plastic
PET Bottle Samurai Outfit
Artvertising
Artvertising
Red Bull Art of Can Exhibit
Aluminized Eco Art
Aluminized Eco Art
Works of Art Made From Recycled Cans
Seat Suitcase
Seat Suitcase
Attache with Chair
Beer Can Art
Beer Can Art
Student Builds Classic Mustang Out Of Bud Cans
Recycled Jewelry
Recycled Jewelry
Old Rings Made New
Recycled Furniture
Recycled Furniture
Chair Made from Plastic Scraps
Luxury Garbage Bags
Luxury Garbage Bags
Recycled Furniture
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Chairs Made From Playstation consoles
Recycled Furniture
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Lamp Made from Books
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Springy Bed Made of Car Parts