# Recycled Newspaper Furniture WooJai Lee's 'PaperBricks' Project Features Smart Sustainable Designs By Riley von Niessen | Published 2016-10-10 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/recycled-newspaper References: [design-milk](http://design-milk.com/recycled-newspapers-turned-furniture/) & [woojai](http://www.woojai.com/) WooJai Lee, a designer who stakes claims in both Korea and New Zealand, came up with the idea for 'PaperBricks' when he considered how often paper is thrown out -- which prompted him to use recycled newspaper as his primary material. In doing so, he aims to give an item that's often thought of as trash a new life -- however in a way that doesn't detract from the aesthetic of his furniture at the same time. Knowing that recycled newspaper doesn't last forever, WooJai Lee wanted to find a new way to ensure that its use would make for a [sustainable product](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rosana-sousa). In order to do this, he made the recycled newspaper into [bricks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cob-brick) by mixing it with glue. Not only does this ensure that the material lasts, but also makes it soft in texture and a unique take on a marbled look. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.6/10 - Popularity: 74% | Activity: 56% | 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) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/furniture) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Sustainable Furniture Designs:** Opportunity to create innovative and eco-friendly designs, using sustainable materials as well as repurposing waste to reduce environmental impact. - **Circular Economy Products:** Opportunity to create products that utilize waste streams as a resource to minimize waste and reduce environmental impact, while also creating unique, marketable designs that appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. - **Smart Manufacturing Techniques:** Opportunity to leverage 3D printing and other advanced manufacturing and material science techniques to create lightweight, durable, and eco-friendly furniture designs that are both functional and visually appealing. ### Where This Applies - **Furniture:** The furniture industry can leverage recycled materials and smart design techniques to create innovative and eco-friendly furniture pieces while promoting sustainability and increasing marketability. - **Paper and Pulp:** The paper and pulp industry can explore new markets and business models by transforming recyclable newspapers into new, high-value products such as furniture, encouraging a more sustainable approach to manufacturing. - **3D Printing:** The 3D printing industry could provide a cost-effective solution for manufacturing sustainable and unique furniture designs while enabling customized furniture that allows for versatility and adaptability in the market. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Recycled Paper Stools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-plod-stool.md) - [Eco-Friendly Styrofoam Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/we.md) - [Sustainable Paper-Infused Benches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/detalji-bench.md) - [Rustic Recycled Wood Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/primitive-structures-table-design.md) - [Waste-Based Furniture Capsules](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecofriendly-furniture1.md) - [Sculptural Paper Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fragmenti.md) - [Waste-Incorporated Chair Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/knoll-chairs.md) - [Sustainable Recycled Paper Cabinets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/no-screws-no-glue.md) - [Sustainable Side Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/re-up-side-tables.md)