Chair Charlie
Designed by:
Yuan V
Co-Designed by:
Vanbriel J
Designer:
Vanessa Yuan
Co-Designer:
Joris Vanbriel
Country of Origin (Designer):
Belgium
Date of Design:
2018
Date of Manufacture:
2018
Decade:
2010s
Region:
Europe
Significance:
Recycled plastic toys used to create this child's chair
Manufacturer:
EcoBirdy
Country of Origin (Manufacturer):
Belgium
Material:
Polypropylene
Process:
Rotational moulded
Monobloc:
Yes
Cantilever:
No
Renewable Carbon:
Yes
ERPR Score:
10
ERPR Rating:
Average
Weight:
2.9
Note:
ecoBirdy, a small organisation based in Antwerp, was established to recycle discarded plastic toys into colourful, kid-sized furniture. According to the designers, the idea for ecoBirdy was sparked by an UNEP report which claimed: ‘the toy sector has by far the highest intensity’ in its use of plastics. Toys are often made from a combination of different plastics preventing them from being recycled along with ordinary household waste and often end up in landfill. Following two years research and development the designers developed ecothylene—a patented technology that requires ‘no pigments or new plastics need to be added. Making ecothylene significantly more eco-friendly than most recycled plastics.’ The process of developing the 2.9kg child’s chair does still require some manual sorting of materials but automated colour sorting has enabled ecoBirdy to move away from the ‘greyish, dullish’ image of recycled plastics and produces ecothylene in a range of five bright colours without the use of pigments. The terrazzo effect finish produced by this process is promoted as a benefit, ensuring every product produced from ecothylene displays a totally unique finish.
Image Credit:
Arne Jennard for ecoBirdy