Copenhagen – The Wasteland exhibition examines consumers’ perceptions of waste and its future applications.
Designed by architecture practice Lendager Group, Wasteland encourages visitors to re-assess the value of waste and highlights its potential as a sustainable building resource.
The Danish Upcycle House by Realdania By & Byg is made from upcycled materials such as old shipping containers. The house, which costs £116,000 ($144,200, €134,500) to build, demonstrates how discarded materials can be re-used to create affordable housing. Europe produces more than 250m tonnes of municipal waste annually, according to the European Environment Agency.
Upcycling is the process of re-using old objects to create higher-quality products, such as combining new and recycled concrete to create a stronger blend.
Designers and brands are rethinking the rhetoric around waste to inspire new ways of thinking. To find out more, read our Whole-system Thinking macrotrend.