The “garbage collection fee” policy has finally been passed in recent days, and there is still some time before it is officially implemented. However, this means that everyone’s method of dealing with garbage in the future will undergo unprecedented changes. When you are still unsure how to handle garbage in the future, why not first get used to reducing waste in your daily life and making the most of every item? Just like the protagonist of this Better Life feature, local Upcycling product designer Kevin Cheung, think about how to give garbage a new life before discarding it, turning waste that was about to be sent to landfills into quality items that beautify life!
Before becoming an Upcycling product designer, Kevin was just an ordinary design student at a technical university. Due to budget constraints, he often scavenged materials from the university garbage collection station for his school assignments. The more he got used to treasure hunting in the trash pile, the more he reflected on the relationship between resources and waste as a designer. The roots of environmental protection grow in the garbage dump, allowing Kevin to gradually become a local environmental designer. His works, from wallets, speakers to musical tricycles, and even the art installation at the Hermès boutique, all reflect a taste for life from the landfill.
// Re-defining the definition of garbage //
Upcycling gives new life to old items by transforming worthless waste into something new and innovative. It can be as simple as turning a used drink bottle into a storage container after cleaning it. While this may seem like an easy task, why do we all prefer to dispose of things rather than repurpose them? It all comes down to the balance of value and the time and effort involved. “The reason why plastic bottles are easily discarded is because they are perceived as having low value. But who really defines value? This is a question worth pondering. Recently, I was invited to participate in a project related to bicycles in the West Kowloon Cultural District. By chance, I came across a piano from the 1960s that was about to be sent to a landfill. It was a locally made Chan Fuk piano with significant historical value. So, I decided to salvage and restore this piano, placing it on a tricycle to create a mobile music experience for the public in the West Kowloon Cultural District.”
In a consumer society where space is limited, we all fail to appreciate the value of things. From a simple plastic bottle to large pieces of furniture, once they end up in a landfill, they serve no purpose and only harm the environment. Instead of constantly creating waste from resources, Kevin chooses to find treasures in the trash, removing the stigma of “garbage” from it and creating a win-win situation for the community.
// Preserve the history and warmth of life //
Kevin’s studio is located in Wan Chai Blue House, a Grade I historic building in Hong Kong built in 1922, where conservation work is carried out within the preserved and revitalized architecture, adding extra significance. The work of an environmental designer is not just about optimizing waste, but also about preserving history. “Four years ago, I suddenly received a batch of daily equipment left behind by the 1997 British Army from a collector. I dismantled the equipment and used fabric to reassemble them into a batch of backpacks. The historical weight carried by these backpacks is something that cannot be found in any piece of fabric in Sham Shui Po.” Kevin’s creations preserve not only old items, but also the relationship between society and people, allowing the products to transcend mere objects and become a storytelling medium connected to this community.
In addition to historic products, another product that deeply touched Kevin is the wallpaper wallet. The wallpaper wallet is made from discarded wallpaper samples, with a durable fabric base and a plastic finish that is both durable and stylish. While the material may not have the profound military style of a backpack, it has a touching story behind it. “I remember one Chinese New Year’s Day, I was participating in a market in Tai Hang. When I was worried about the lack of people and poor sales during the Lunar New Year, a cleaner auntie in a dark blue work uniform pushing a garbage truck stopped in front of my booth. After she understood the concept of the wallpaper wallet and felt a connection, she immediately bought two, one for herself and one for her daughter.” The cleaner who had just dealt with a large amount of garbage at the Victoria Park Lunar New Year Fair and was on the front lines was willing to pull out her wallet to support environmentally friendly consumption. Beyond the unexpected warmth and touch, it also brought a sense of guilt for the waste she generates daily, adding to the burden on workers and the environment.
// Recycling bin is not a magic box //
Reducing waste and recycling do not require a lot of technology, it is not the exclusive domain of designers and craftsmen. Supporting the rebirth of old items, allowing recycled waste with stories and meanings to become a part of beautifying life, there is certainly more that we can do. Simple actions like participating in community recycling, sorting garbage, have already been of great help to society. When even chain clothing stores promote the recycling of old clothes, fast food restaurants provide biodegradable straws and cups, and more and more zero-waste supermarkets are opening, as consumers, we absolutely need to support them, allowing companies’ environmental policies and the environmental recycling industry to have a space to thrive.
“The recycling bin is not a magic box, there is no magic inside to produce a new item. Behind the recycling bin is a production chain to handle a plastic bottle, paper, or aluminum can that you only used for 5 minutes. Recycling requires cleaning, cutting, and reproduction, which consumes human and material resources no less than producing a brand new product. Upcycling is definitely not a profitless endeavor.” Kevin, who is engaged in product design, wants everyone to think clearly before consuming, seemingly going against the tide. However, this is all out of love for protecting this land. Reflecting on consumption patterns, understanding the source and destination of products, is not only intellectually satisfying but also a responsibility to the earth’s environment.
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Producer: Vicky Wai
Editor: Candy Chan
Videographer: Andy Lee, Anson Chan
Photographer: Anson Chan
Video Editor: Andy Lee
Designer: Tanna Cheng
Special Thanks: Kevin Cheung
