Sydney-based DesignByThem meets growing demand for sustainable innovation in Australia with their Confetti furniture made from recycled plastic.
Australian industrial designer-founded firm DesignByThem is innovating in design, durability, and sustainability with their Confetti furniture collection made with recycled plastic. Meeting increased mindfulness towards the environment and the consequent demand for conscious design in Australia, the Sydney-based company’s colourful pieces are not only eye-catching, but also highly functional.
In 2022, 60% of Australians believe that listed companies should be required to report their responses to environmental concerns just as they disclose financial information.
DesignByThem’s Confetti furniture is resistant to the rain and wind and can be used outdoors, making their products highly favourable to both consumers and business owners, such as restauranteurs. The pieces are also made locally in Australia and raw materials used are a mix of industrial and consumer waste recovered in Australia.
Founded in 2007 by industrial designers Sarah Gibson and Nicholas Karlovasitis, Sarah herself designed Confetti, drawing inspiration from a pipe made from industrial waste she had come across whose mottled pattern created a certain beauty with her.
The base of each of the Confetti collection’s pieces is grey, vermilion, yellow, blue, light blue, black and white. Despite the refined appearance of the final products, Gibson shared, “Although there is a basic formula of mixing colours of recycled plastic so that the resultant slabs come out with a confetti-like appearance, [the manufacturer] only uses the recycled plastic at hand and maximise time and production efficiency.”
The final products are also resistant to ultraviolet radiation, making them favourable for outdoor use across many years, even in Australia, where ultraviolet rays are strong. Unlike metal or coated furniture, wear is less likely to show on plastic as well, contributing to high demand for DesignByThem’s signature Confetti collection.
Offering a range of products, from tables and chairs, to armchairs and sofas, to umbrella stands and planters, DesignByThem’s furniture is sold to offices and homeowners through architects and interior designers across Australia, with hopes to expand their reach to Japan and other foreign markets.
By recycling plastic, as opposed to incinerating it or sending it to the landfill, produces can effectively use resources, reduce waste, and lower their footprint.
Featured banner image credit: designbythem.com
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