Dutch designer’s Waterschatten furniture and homeware made from reclaimed recycled toilet paper

Dutch designer Nienke Hoogvliet is creating surprisingly beautiful homewares made by used toilet paper. The Watershatten collection was shown at Dutch Design Week 2016, consisting of a large table, lighting and decorative bowls. It was designed as a way of combating negative associations with the material.

Before the installation of the fine sieves, this material was burned. Using this cellulose again, not only means that we need to cut down fewer trees, it makes the process of cleaning the water require less energy as well.

The Waterschatten collection was made in partnership with the Dutch Water Authorities, which has been experimenting with recovering energy and raw materials from waste water. Then the Dutch Water Authorities has also been experimenting with reclaiming phosphates and other materials. The final products show the possibilities for a different recycled material.

180 000 trees worth of toilet paper is flushed down the toilets in the Netherlands each year. But what if that raw material was reclaimed and turned into useful products?  It is an innovative and creative answer to a huge waste problem.

The designer has also experimented with turning algae into yarn, which was knotted around fishing nets to form floor coverings.

Find out more about Studio Nienke Hoogvliet

Photo credits: Studio Nienke Hoogvliet