Waste to WOW: Repurposed materials from manufacturing scrap waste into some office decor wow!

We love working with repurposed materials and saving material from the landfill.  For the last decade, most of what we saved is office furniture.   We remanufactured the used cubicles by recovering office panels with new fabric to refresh them.  Metal storage peds receive touch up paint or a fresh new coat depending on the need.   

An example of how we take a dated cubicle and make it delightful.  New fabric, fresh paint & thoroughly cleaned, the cubicle is better than new.  The client wanted industrial office cubicles

In meeting our manufacturing clients, we found that most manufacturers do an excellent job of recycling material.  Metal is separated and scrapped.  What if we could repurpose or remanufacture that material vs. scrapping it?  By repurposing, we can move up in sustainability.  

Sustainable Practices Definition 

Our first project working with manufacturing scrap was the LED Modern Chandelier in our showroom.  When we saw the big gaylord box of toner drums, we knew something could be created.  Inspired by Thomas Heatherwick’s design of the tubiest building in the world at the Zeitz MOCAA, we created the tubiest chandelier from repurposed material.  

We continue to look for ideas for these drums.  The business card holder is another example of how the material can be repurposed.    

sustainable gifts

Our latest project from repurposed materials came when we working on aluminum desks from our mens office install.  We collaborated with the client on the design.  When we saw the lightweight scrap used for horse trailer doors, we knew there was a repurpose opportunity.  

Qualities of the material:

• Lightweight
• 1.5″ thick with white aluminum sandwiching a thin layer coroplast & foam center
• protective film protecting the material

Finally, the first product in this repurposed material.  We created desk dividers for soundproofing and visual privacy.  Open offices can be distracting.  These dividers solve that problem.

Desk Dividers for Soundproofing

We love working with repurposed materials.  If you want to discuss finding a second life for your manufacturing waste, please email me.  Likewise, if you have a design in mind for the scrap material we have, we love to collaborate.  niki@greencleandesigns.com