Re-f-use explained
The title of this exhibition, ['refju:s] plays on the word refuse or waste, which, when the F is crossed out, can be read as reUse.
Preventing or reducing waste through sustainable product design is the main goal; but waste created despite these efforts can be made very useful, as about 150 examples from at least 17 countries make clear in this survey. Furthermore the Re-f-use exhibition demonstrates that in the best sustainable design environmental protection and economic growth reinforce rather than conflict with aesthetics.
Selection criteria
The criteria for selection of products were the following: The production process should avoid emissions, waste of virgin materials and pollution. They have to be made from recycled materials (that is, from objects which have been cut up, ground or sometimes melted and/or reconstituted as new materials) or reused material (those which reuse part or all of an existing object without reprocessing, for instance a part of a rubber tyre used to make a pocket torch) or biodegradable/sustainable material, (like fastgrowing hemp or bamboo to save trees). In addition, products that stimulate the process of recycling and reuse are also included.
Functional and well-designed products that are available on the market have been preferred. For some extraordinary and inspiring prototypes exceptions have been made, as well as for some utilitarian applications, because they often make use of large quantities of refuse.
Development in the environmental field is continuously taking place, therefore products change quickly as well; this is the reason for updating the exhibition and adding local examples with each venue. Not every product exhibited meets all the criteria or is a 100% correct solution to the problems of wasting energy, virgin materials or polluting the environment. We hope however, by showing a wide variety of solutions to stimulate discussion and to help to develop sustainable product design.
We are grateful for the generosity of our sponsors, the loans of designers and manufacturers and the wise advice and help of many friends, including late Judith Arango and Mart van Schijndel. Thanks to all of these, this project could become what it is now.