Category
Lifestyle
Assisted Choices
Trend cluster
Category
Usable
Waste
Brands reinvent human and animal waste for a multitude of purposes.
3.6
Trend score
Trend
What is the Usable Waste trend?
Usable Waste: The reuse of human and animal waste has ecological implications in a variety of industries–including everything from construction to the food and beverage space. These innovations set a precedent for how waste can be used to transform systems rather than damaging them.
Insight
The consumer insight behind the Usable Waste trend
When it comes to environmental consciousness, consumers are increasingly understanding the risks and consequences of the current standard of living around the world. Thus individuals, communities and institutions are all pushing for innovative, systemic changes that impact the long term trajectory of climate change in a positive way.
Trend themes
Themes within the Usable Waste trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Waste-to-energy Conversion
Converting waste, such as human and animal waste, into energy has ecological implications in various industries which can decrease waste and minimize environmental damage.
02
Microbial Reactors
The use of microbial reactors that rapidly break down waste and contaminants introduces a potential new method of producing food or building materials for consumption.
03
Zero-waste Building Materials
Creating building materials that are produced in an ecological environment by utilizing waste products like urine creates new opportunities to reduce waste in building and construction industries.
Industry implications
What the Usable Waste trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Energy
Energy companies and waste management facilities could benefit immensely from these renewable sources of energy, allowing for alternative energy products powered by waste products.
For
Aerospace
The potential for biofuel technology in the aerospace industry could lead to a cheaper and more environmentally friendly method of fueling aircraft and space travel.
For
Construction
The architectural and construction industries could have access to a new type of building material made out of waste products that are much more sustainable than traditional materials.
Workshop question
Conceptualize how your brand could transform and repurpose a waste product.
Trend signals
Trend signals for Usable Waste
Trend score 3.6 out of 10, from popularity 58%, activity 42%, freshness 8%.
Popularity58%
Activity42%
Freshness8%
Audience
50%Men
50%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X
- Boomer
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
Evidence
Examples of the Usable Waste trend
4 featured examples from Dec 9, 2016 to Oct 30, 2018CategoryEco
Dog Poo-Powered Lights
This Gas Street Lamp in Worcestershire, UK Runs On Canine Excrement
The renewable energy industry can explore and capitalize on the potential of novel sources like dog poop to generate clean, sustainable, and cost-effective energy.
CategoryEco
Feces-Converted Fuel
This Crude Bio Oil is Generated From Human Waste Found in Sewage Water
The waste management industry can explore the implementation of hydrothermal liquifaction technology to convert sewage waste into valuable bio oil.
CategoryEco
Urine-Crafted Bricks
The Bio-Bricks are Made Ecologically and of Human Waste
The construction industry can explore the use of urine-crafted bricks to create more sustainable and eco-friendly buildings.
CategoryTech
Waste-Transformed Space Food
Scientists are Experimenting With Food for Astronauts Made From Feces
The waste management industry can explore innovative methods like microbial reactors to efficiently process and convert waste into usable products.
