Not only does the modern kitchen require the latest, sleek and innovative designs but a recent movement gaining great momentum are products that are of recycled materials. For those who want to keep on trend, environmentally conscious objects are a must in any household.
Introducing the, ‘White Pages’ Knife Block, made of 80% discarded materials, it’s main objection is to reduce waste and its impact on the environment. Paper waste being a huge issue in Australia, this knife block will ease this pressure and perhaps incorporate other waste materials in the future.
In 2007, Australian households and businesses recycled 75% of all old books. A further 21% were re-used – to prop up computer monitors, wrap breakables and a range of other uses. These figures highlight the success of these phone books being recycled or reused as objects, tools and products around the house.
This idea can be achieved by collecting and re-using out-dated phonebooks discarded by communities into the ‘Sensis Book Recycling Program’ or ‘Visy Recycling’, while, unwanted Perspex off-cuts will be sourced from ‘AB Plastics’.
The ‘Sensis Book Recycling Program’ started in 1999, with just 4 percent of books were recycled or reused. Since then, almost 160 million Yellow Pages and White Pages books have been recycled or re-used. Today it is at 96%. There is great potential for this product to be successful on the market as it is a desirable product, which can be produced at a minimal cost and sold at an inflated price.
Simple in design, the knife block is suitable for any kitchen and can accommodate any knife set the user owns as the knives easily slip into the pages of the phonebook providing support and storage. It holds around 10 knives, depending on their size in a fashionable array for easy access and is light enough to be moved around at will.
The ‘White Pages’ Knife Block is committed to reducing waste and making our environment cleaner in order to provide a better future.
Hey Stephanie! Your design was one of my absolute favourites! Admittedly over time this might not be a practical idea as the knife would need to be completely dry before placing it into the holder however when I tested it out in class the actual process was extremely smooth. The way the knife slid into the paper was elegant and the slant you've created speaks to the user as well! Well done!!!
ReplyDeleteI thought this was a really original and interesting concept. The phonebook material was a really good choice and the overall appearance was quite impressive. If you were to market this product, the only issue with the design that I can think of would be that the knives would have to be completely dry when put away.
ReplyDeleteSteph, i like the way you have used the whole phonebook in its raw state, the amount of waste minimal and since some poeple (like me) hate the obstrusiveness of the phonebook, this seems to celebrate its greatest quality.
ReplyDeletethe only thing i would posbily change would be to possibly give it a different shape , most knife blocks dont seem to be very tall. overall great ch*** b**** steph
Awww steph I really like this! The overall form is nice, and it does seem to work. Use of the phonebook as a material is very clever.
ReplyDeleteI would probably change the nut and bolt to something more elegant and thats about it.... the only thing is a wet knife *may* spoil the paper? Would there be any tranfer of ink to the knifes surface from heat/humidty?
I think its one of those products that are really interesting and you would actually take a second look at it if you're wandering around the mall or something. I just wasn't such a big fan of the neck of the phonebook though, like where its bound together it fell short on the appearance compared to the other parts. Other than that, I really liked it, great job!:)
ReplyDeleteWhen I first saw the product it appealed to me like none of others mainly because of how interesting the whitepages book has been used to create a completely new use. It also looked very nice as the metallic colours of the knives look like they belong in the colours of the pages. Although a problem occurred to me after having a hard look at the product. As time goes on and the knives are pulled out and wedged back in to the pages time and time again, could the edges of the pages begin to rip and wear away? Maybe through some manipulation of the paper could have prevented this from happening but overall it is a very innovative and interesting design.
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