Last week, we featured 10 projects that reuse and recycle plastic bottles – this week, we’re looking at some amazing things created with reused cardboard. From bridges and bikes to furniture and homes, cardboard is becoming a preferred material for innovative recyclable products. We’ve even included a few cardboard reuse projects you can make at home!
Giles Miller is a master of cardboard design. While he usually concentrates on furniture made of cardboard, these sustainable laptop cases were part of the 2006 London (re)Design Exhibit. Miller personalizes his bags with initials or logos, but you can make a cardboard laptop case of your own with this tutorial.
Nothing, a creative agency in Amsterdam, wanted an office that reflected their brand as well as their creativity – a cardboard office was the answer. Complete with cubicles, storage space, and a loft-style conference room, the Nothing Office is made entirely of cardboard. The blank walls were custom decorated with drawings after completion.
Sheffield Hallam University design student, Phil Bridge, created a working bicycle made of recycled cardboard. The bike is functional, but limited, and could sell for just $30. The cardboard frame is sturdy and completely recyclable, but probably not too durable in the rain.
Shigeru Ban’s recycled cardboard bridge is an amazing example of just how versatile cardboard can be. 281 cardboard tubes have been recycled into the frame of the footbridge and the steps are made from recycled paper and plastic – the structure is strong enough to support up to 20 people at once.
The YOC – Your Own Chair – is an entry from DesignBloom’s 2003 cardboard folding chair competition. YOC is a portable chair that looks like a shopping bag but provides the perfect resting spot wherever you go. The chair was created by Johan Carlsson of Denmark.
Bringing a whole new meaning to living in a cardboard box, this lightweight and low-cost house is made of 85% recycled materials and can be completely recycled when demolished. The roof is made with HDPE plastic to protect the cardboard house from rain and moisture.
How do you furnish a cardboard house? With cardboard furniture, of course! These miniature models are designed for lightweight use and can both be made at home. The cardboard cat chaise was created by oskay (tutorial) and several types of cardboard children’s furniture patterns can be found at FoldSchool.
If you’re looking for something a bit more grown-up, there are an assortment of designers that create recycled cardboard furniture. The desk and bookcase above were made by French furniture makers, Les Cartonnistes. You’ll also find a few Instructables on DIY cardboard furniture projects.
Cardboard can also be used to create amazing art and is the medium of choice for Mark Langan. This is one of many pieces Langan has created from nothing but recycled cardboard. Most of his cardboard art is designed for companies within the paper or recycling industry and features extraordinary logo art.
Gray Chang first made this working cardboard camera in 1983, modeled after his personal 35 mm at the time. The camera was repaired in 2005 after being damaged by vandals. A pinhole design, the camera requires total darkness to load and unload the single 4×5 sheet of film.
This stuff is awesome. Thanks for the great post.
wow. I'm very amazed with these beautiful and well crafted recycled products. Really GREAT!
INDIE PEACE IS FULFILLING THE ECO-CLOTHING DEMAND FROM HOLLYWOOD AND NORDSTROM.
Lawton Ursrey, founder of Atlanta-based clothing line INDIE PEACE just found out his 100% certified organic t-shirt line will be featured in the upcoming Woody Harrelson movie “Zombieland.” Harrelson will be wearing different shirts from the INDIE PEACE collection in the movie and liked them so much, he ended up keeping every style. Woody shared them with pal Owen Wilson and now Owen would like to wear them in his next movie as well. To add to the good news, Lawton’s INDIE PEACE line launched in 8 different Nordstrom stores starting the last week of April. This is major news in the retail market because most major department stores have not embraced eco-friendly or sustainable clothing for men in their stores. Lawton will now lead the way for other eco-friendly men’s clothing designers to break through these barriers. On a side note, this news came at the right time. Due to the current economic climate, Lawton had to close his Atlanta office and ended up moving his business to the basement of his home. He didn’t quit though – proving that even in an economic slump, socially responsible companies are surviving in this volatile market. Want a sneak preview of Woody Harrelson and Owen Wilson’s style and can’t make it to Nordstrom? Go eco-shopping at http://www.indiepeace.myshopify.com
INDIE PEACE IS FULFILLING THE ECO-CLOTHING DEMAND FROM HOLLYWOOD AND NORDSTROM.
Lawton Ursrey, founder of Atlanta-based clothing line INDIE PEACE just found out his 100% certified organic t-shirt line will be featured in the upcoming Woody Harrelson movie “Zombieland.” Harrelson will be wearing different shirts from the INDIE PEACE collection in the movie and liked them so much, he ended up keeping every style. Woody shared them with pal Owen Wilson and now Owen would like to wear them in his next movie as well. To add to the good news, Lawton’s INDIE PEACE line launched in 8 different Nordstrom stores starting the last week of April. This is major news in the retail market because most major department stores have not embraced eco-friendly or sustainable clothing for men in their stores. Lawton will now lead the way for other eco-friendly men’s clothing designers to break through these barriers. On a side note, this news came at the right time. Due to the current economic climate, Lawton had to close his Atlanta office and ended up moving his business to the basement of his home. He didn’t quit though – proving that even in an economic slump, socially responsible companies are surviving in this volatile market. Want a sneak preview of Woody Harrelson and Owen Wilson’s style and can’t make it to Nordstrom? Go eco-shopping at http://www.indiepeace.myshopify.com
Very useful which we need at this time..Instead of wasting the unwanted materials allowed them to spoil the nature we can carry out these simple and useful tips..It really works out..The pictures here are makes us to work for it..
cat condo
Wow! Crazy pictures! Who'd have thought cardboard could be so versitile!
great post