Qingyi Cen

Globally, 400 million tons of paper will be consumed each year, equivalent to cutting down nearly 27 million trees every day. In addition to being recycled into paper and incinerated for energy, paper and wood can be given new value through innovative material design. ReRoot is a handmade, biodegradable vase from paper pulp and wood chips sourced from the library bins and wood workshop at UAL Chelsea College. It designs waste materials around us through innovative materials. Dyed with natural vegetables, the surface pattern evokes the texture and colours of the Earth, while the shape draws inspiration from Ming vases in China. Considering its life cycle, seeds are added to the vase, allowing them to be planted into the soil after use. The design concept is to explore the value of waste materials, advocating symbiosis with nature.