# Suds-Saving Robots The Re-Q Turns Waste Water and Soap Slivers into New Bars By Michael Hines | Published 2011-09-17 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/re-q References: [yankodesign](http://www.yankodesign.com/2011/09/16/diy-soap/) Re-Q is a conceptual appliance from designers Jung Hwan Song and Kim Jong Won designed to turn waste water and old slivers of soap into new bars of suds. The device [purifies waste water](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/quming-delight) and compresses old soap slivers into small soap eggs which are dispensed from Re-Q's stomach. I am someone who uses soap until it disappears completely, but I have seen many bathrooms filled with minute slivers of soap. Using waste water and discarded soap slivers to create new bars of soap is a great idea that would save consumers money and put less of a strain on the environment. This design could be further pumped up if the Re-Q hooked up to the shower to [capture the waste water](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/upfall-shower). ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.9/10 - Popularity: 26% | Activity: 22% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Sustainable Soap Production:** Re-Q's ability to turn waste water and old soap slivers into new bars of soap presents a disruptive innovation opportunity in the soap production industry by promoting sustainability and reducing waste. - **Circular Economy in Personal Care:** The concept of Re-Q embodies the circular economy model by repurposing waste water and soap slivers, offering a disruptive innovation opportunity for the personal care industry to promote resource efficiency and environmental responsibility. - **Smart Bathroom Appliances:** The Re-Q, with its innovative design and concept, showcases a disruptive innovation opportunity in the home appliance industry to create smart bathroom appliances that not only conserve resources but also enhance the overall user experience. ### Who This Affects Most - **Soap Production:** The soap production industry can explore the use of Re-Q's waste water purification and soap compression technology to achieve a more sustainable and cost-effective manufacturing process. - **Personal Care:** Re-Q's soap recycling concept presents an opportunity for the personal care industry to adopt circular economy practices, reduce waste, and offer environmentally-friendly products to consumers. - **Home Appliances:** The Re-Q's incorporation of waste water capture and soap recycling highlights a potential disruptive innovation opportunity within the home appliance industry, allowing for the development of smart bathroom appliances with enhanced sustainability features. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Reusable Wet Wipe Appliances](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/reusable-tissue-cleaner.md) - [Bottle-Shaped Shampoo Bars](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-dissolving-bottle.md) - [Water-Recycling Robot Vacuums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/s10-ultra-robot-vacuum.md) - [Rental Bathroom Amenity Projects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sojo-and-clean-the-world.md) - [Creative Laundry Solutions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rewear-chair.md) - [Powder-to-Gel Washing Liquids](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/homethings.md) - [Biodegradable Single-Use Soap](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tab-soap.md) - [Eco-Friendly Dissolving Shampoo Bottles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dissolving-bottles.md) - [Paw-Print Soap Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dinoosh.md)