The Dutch Water Authorities are recovering valuable energy and raw materials from wastewater. One of those raw materials is used toilet paper. Recently the Water Authorities Aa & Maas and Hoogheemraadschap Hollands Noorderkwartier installed fine sieve installations, with which they can reclaim used toilet paper (cellulose). To celebrate this sustainable innovation, they invited Studio Nienke Hoogvliet to design products with this material. Every year 180.000 tons of toilet paper is flushed down the toilets of the Netherlands. This means 180.000 trees! Before the installation of the fine sieves, this material was burned. Using this cellulose again, not only means that we need to cut down fewer trees, it makes the process of cleaning the water require less energy as well.
Studio Nienke Hoogvliet made a collection of objects, consisting of a big table, lighting, and decorative bowls to show how this material can be integrated into our homes. The goal of the project is to create a positive association with this material. Therefore the cleaned pulp was made into unique, handmade products and combined with brass to show that something from the sewer can have great value again.
Besides cellulose, the Water Authorities can also reclaim energy, phosphates and other materials from wastewater. To show all the possibilities, the tables consist of eight drawers. Every drawer highlights a material.
For more information: www.efgf.nl
