Circular Fabrication Lab
Basic information
Project Title
Full project title
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Project Description
We are creating a co-laboratory space for experimental creation with mixed trash (plastic and organic). We will first collect and sort one-used packaging and food waste. Then, these upcycled resources will be transformed into second-life objects, products, and materials. To achieve all these we will empower the Dessau-Roßlau community and use open-sourced recycling technologies, such as Precious Plastic.
Project Region
EU Programme or fund
Description of the project
Summary
The Circular Fabrication Lab will be a co-laboratory space for experimental upcycling with mixed trash (plastic and organic) in Dessau-Roßlau. From our space at the VorOrt community house, we will prototype renew ways of sourcing and creating with everyday materials.
Together with the Dessau-Roßlau community, we will create a circular system that triggers exchange of future visions for an "afterlife" of our consumed products. To achieve this vision our collective actions channel techniques and ideas developed with a global community. Cosmopolitan localism and the Transition Design framework will inspire the grassroots actions of this Circular Fabrication Lab.
Through creative and collaborative processes, the community of the Circular Fabrication Lab will upcycle mixed trash and convert it into precious resources. The new materials will be used to repair and expand the lifetime of other objects, as well as to create recycled variations of products. The proposed circular system will then inspire a feeling of responsibility for the products we own and the trash we produce every day.
The Origin of the materials comes to us by cooperation and not by digging trash piles. We collect the sorted and unsorted trash before the supermarkets throw the materials away.
Key objectives for sustainability
The Circular Fabrication Lab collects its prime material in collaboration with private households and local stores from Dessau Rosslau. We believe that the end of a product should not be the trash can, so we take our creative actions inside a new circular system. We move away from linear consumption and consider each product to be a source for new materials and bi-products. Once in the circle, these materials stay in it and keep on creating new products which will keep on circling.
We want to bring this renovated mindset to our community, inviting them to take a variety of conscious actions with the recycled materials.The Circular Fabrication Lab is a space for collective recycling actions! Our community experiments with new cycles of creation and prototyping, even by sharing upcycled material surpluses so other members can create with them in different ways. The mentioned actions trigger a sustainable lifestyle shift. For example, by collecting packaging and leftovers from products (like peels of Fruits or Plastic wrapping) we can shred and melt these into an injection mold, so we can create an upcycled plant pot. This process bonds the community to the creation of a new product out of what it’s normally perceived as trash. We empower a conscious community to expand the lifetime of everyday life products, which reduces the need for a new one.
Over time, the community will increase their collective knowledge, by testing different upcycling procedures. Whereas the Circular Fabrication Lab, will provide the recycling guidelines and open source machinerie, it invites all types of recycling actions: from composting to fermentation, and even bio-materials experimentation. The idea is to find joy in upcycling so to keep on with these sustainable actions and inspire others to share this circular vision.
Key objectives for aesthetics and quality
The material characteristics of grinder/shredded/pressed objects become an aesthetical statement towards recycling and ecological care. The particular look of these products raises curiosity and generates conversations about the recycling creative process. Each object becomes an invitation to a sustainable life, and a prove that circular actions can be achieved collectively. That’s where metabolic beauty resides: the original material was a product of high consumption, but the upcycle outcome portrays the inventive effort of the community.
The recycled beauty of these everyday life objects carries the consciousness of the circular production to the private spaces of the community of the Circular Fabrication Lab. Beyond a trend, the material identity of these products stand out in any room as a manifesto that there can be a precious afterlife for mixed waste. Either a table or a plant pot, there is a powerful feeling that comes from transforming trashed material into not only functional but good looking objects. Also, by taking on holistic and circular ways of product development, we benefit not only our Dessau-Rosslau community but we contribute to stopping global warming. This can also become a possibility for a circular design shop, supporting local and on demand economies.
Key objectives for inclusion
The Circular Fabrication Lab has a central location in the city of Dessau Rosslau, which is known for being home of the Bauhaus movement. We’re host inside the VorOrt haus, a creatively and self-organized community, that even supports collective work with Subotnik events (free work used for the benefit of the public, usually on days off). We will also be collaborating with the Hochschule Anhalt, with an international community of design students and scholars. We want to be able to cowork in an inclusive way and with a diversity of backgrounds so we will communicate in German, English and Spanish. These diverse collaborative networks are crucial to kick off the recycling actions.
We want to recover the initial expenses of the construction (and further maintenance) costs of the open sourced machines, by planning a just retribution system in exchange of machinery use and recollection of waste resources. For example, depending on the scale and frequency of machinery use, these services can be free if the person brings more materials he/she/they actually uses. The Circular Fab-Lab is a space for creative experimentation, so becoming a new member is welcomed and will help to open the space as much as possible.
In order to include all willing members in the operative and technical actions of recycling, we plan to run workshops for machinery handling. A local exchange is mostly wanted, but we would also create informative material and tutorials to share in Social Media and other communication channels, like Telegram or Whatsapp. Depending on the response and participation of the community, the space might be expanded or reallocated if needed.
Innovative character
The Circular Fabrication Lab is a place to take collective responsibility for our current linear consumption. We want to stop the complacent idea that when the product hits the trash can, it becomes somonelses duty to manage it sustainably, specially when this is mixed waste -which is very complex prime material to deal with.
This lab combines hands-on design practice, recycled material knowledge exchange and a vibrant community in one space. This network cooperation enhances new ways of taking care of our surroundings, by first managing the waste we produce and inspiring others to follow these actions. A call for action to change the behavior of consumers and transition into a circular life. Can you imagine a place where there is no trash, just circular resources? We can, and this is a place to bring ideas and visions of an upcoming future together.
