Dump Design - Redefining Recycling Centre Waste

Dump Design

The recycling center serves as the dumping ground for all consumer waste. Could there not be a solution to all this garbage constantly piling up? Despite past efforts by a multitude of ad hoc solutions, no structural approach has ever been found. This year, Dump Design, a collective of 6 designers, has initiated a research product design project to address this problem at the Almere waste recycling centres. We aim to provide a solution, by systematically creating a design portfolio exquisitely from waste. Once materials are thrown away they are considered worthless and ugly. This makes a waste recycling centre the antithesis of design. We recreate the vibe of a waste recycling centre and contrast by showing the products in class, design and aesthetic

Our designers

A.M. Andersen: A Dutch/Danish couple combining Dutch and Danish techniques in order to find new solutions for used wood and used furniture. They believe circularity should be bold, surprise and claim attention. https://www.instagram.com/a.m.andersendddesign/ Studio Heinepein researched the reuse of flooring.Playful interior designs with a clean finish. You’ll have to take a very close look to recognize the products are made from 100% raw materials. https://studioheinepein.com/ Isolde Sierade researched the adaptation of circuit boards. With these, she creates jewelry, which highlights the esthetics of the material. https://www.instagram.com/isoldederidder_sieraden/ La Femme Qui Rit, made it her mission to find a new research for used coaches. This resulted in the creation of bags and handheld products. https://www.instagram.com/lafemmequirit.designs/ Ruig and Geroest looked at a multitude of industrial products. He creates interior products from various materials. https://www.instagram.com/ruigengeroest/ And The Bin, who designed a process to systematically create products made from recycling center waste. https://nl.linkedin.com/company/the-bin

Too much waste to handle

While collaborating at the Upcyclecentrum in Almere, we were confronted with the staggering volumes of "waste" brought in daily. Among the discarded items, we discovered valuable electric chairs worth 1500 euros, entire flooring worth approximately 6000 euros, and countless bags filled with t-shirts and underwear. Each of us focuses on a specific aspect of the waste stream: textiles, furniture, metals, or electronics. Our collective aims to prompt visitors to reflect upon their disposal habits and the significance of their discarded possessions. By combining expertises, we strive to raise awareness among a wider audience about the thoughtlessness with which items are discarded. While at the same time showing optimism with the value and esthetics of the products. With our ultimate goal to shift consumers' perspective towards more conscious purchasing and discarding practices.