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Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
Kyungeun Sung Supervisors: Tim Cooper and Sarah Kettley
Sustainable Consumption Research Group School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
Exploring and assessing intervention strategies for scaling up individual upcycling
(for the expert workshop)
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
Plan today
Topics Descriptions Duration Accumulated
duration
Opening - Personal introduction (all) - Introduce individual upcycling and scaling up
10 mins 10 mins
General discussion on individual upcycling
- What kind of upcycling is sustainable? - How can we change ‘can’t be bothered’ attitude from most people? - Can upcycling supply a reasonable proportion of the global demand for goods?
10 mins 20 mins
Discussion on initial intervention assessment result
- Do we agree with what is being presented? - If you don’t agree, why so?
45 mins (up to 3 mins per
intervention) 65 mins
New intervention suggestion
- Do you have any good ideas about new interventions? 5 mins 70 mins
Selection of the intervention combination
- Which combination of interventions are likely to make the biggest impact on scaling up individual upcycling? - Which combination of interventions are likely to be adopted and implemented to make a short-tem success in scaling up individual upcycling?
10 mins 80 mins
Closing - Reward + travel cost reimbursement 5 mins 85 mins
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
Individual upcycling
Creation or modification of any product out of used materials in an attempt to result in a product of higher quality or value than the compositional elements (Sung, et al., 2014)
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
Scaling up in multi-level perspective
Scaling up: the process of initially deviant or unusual sustainable practices to become the dominant or mainstream practice (van den
Bosch, 2010)
Deepening: a learning process of actors within a specific context about how to fulfil societal need in a deviant way (ibid.)
Broadening: repeating a transition experiment in different contexts and linking it to other functions or domains (ibid.)
Deepening, broadening & scaling up transition experiments in niches in relation to multi-level perspective (based on Geels and Kemp 2000, De Haan and Rotmans, 2009) from van den Bosch (2010)
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
Scaling up individual upcycling
Enthusiastic upcyclers becoming an entrepreneur
More pragmatic Makers (not necessarily utilising used materials for every making project) practicing upcycling more frequently
Non-Makers engaging in making and upcycling
Companies taking back products and packages for upcycling as extended producer responsibility
Companies adopting upcycling production techniques worth scaling up in terms of cost-effectiveness and sustainability in a large scale
Sarah Turner – Eco-artist and designer through craft-based upcycling (Sung & Cooper, 2015)
Source: http://www.attyre.co.uk/upcycle-idol-sarah-turner/
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
How do we scale up individual upcycling?
15 initial intervention strategies
Questionnaire
Focus group
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
General comments on individual upcycling (10 mins)
Not all upcycling is sustainable
Upcycling requires materials, energy and transport
‘fun making’ can be more wasteful (e.g. buying cheap appliances to get few parts)
Whether or not it is good depends on what kind of upcycling
Upcycling with waste only? What do we envision upcycling to be about?
What kind of upcycling is sustainable?
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
General comments on individual upcycling (10 mins)
Not all upcycling is sustainable
Upcycling requires materials, energy and transport
‘fun making’ can be more wasteful (e.g. buying cheap appliances to get few parts)
Whether or not it is good depends on what kind of upcycling
Upcycling with waste only? What do we envision upcycling to be about?
‘can’t be bothered’ attitude from most people
What kind of upcycling is sustainable?
How can we change this ‘can’t be bothered’ attitude from most people?
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
General comments on individual upcycling (10 mins)
Not all upcycling is sustainable
Upcycling requires materials, energy and transport
‘fun making’ can be more wasteful (e.g. buying cheap appliances to get few parts)
Whether or not it is good depends on what kind of upcycling
Upcycling with waste only? What do we envision upcycling to be about?
‘can’t be bothered’ attitude from most people
What kind of upcycling is sustainable?
How can we change this ‘can’t be bothered’ attitude from most people? The challenge: persuading people that upcycling can supply a reasonable
proportion of the global demand for goods
Can upcycling supply a reasonable proportion of the global demand for goods?
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
Relatively important & probably feasible
Relatively important & may not be feasible
Undecided
Relatively unimportant & probably feasible
One of top 5 important interventions
Ratings
Suitable actors
Selected comments on the intervention
Review: Each intervention assessment results (3 mins per intervention)
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
01. Improve access to, and facilities and services of public workshops with space, tools, materials and training (e.g. workshop induction) for diverse demographic populations
Initiate: NGOs + local authorities
Expertise: architects + service designers
Importance 1 2 3 4 5
Feasibility 1 2 3 4 5
Skills development alone is not effective
Ambiguous word, ‘public’
Main contribution might be the sense of community
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
02. Design and provide tool kits for novice upcyclers
Importance 1 2 3 4 5
Feasibility 1 2 3 4 5
Manufacturers provide suggestions and guidance for the end of product lifetimes suitable short term strategy (not challenging the current business model)
Good benchmarking target – iFixit with toolkits + online platform
Hand tools + specialist craft tools hiring service (cf. power tools)
A wide variety in tools what is essential?
Could be part of the workshop
Initiate: Companies + NGOs
Expertise: designers + skilled craftspeople
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
03. Operate a reuse/upcycle centre with a product collection service aligned with usual waste collection service
Local authorities + NGOs Importance 1 2 3 4 5
Feasibility 1 2 3 4 5
Done in some local authorities
A halfway house between recycling centre and charity shop
More effective if people can drop off old items and professionals/charities upcycle them and sell them
Potential conflict with regulations
Potential product-oriented legal implications and licensing waste
Specific materials need to be focused on (e.g. wood, fabric)
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
04. Design and provide a service model for improved provision of used materials, components and products
Importance 1 2 3 4 5
Feasibility 1 2 3 4 5
Business development for waste handlers/recyclers?
Will work at the local level detail models should evolve to suit local needs
Potential legal issues to be sorted out
Some innovative financing schemes could help
Can become ‘moral offsetting’ for those with high resource consumption
Initiate: Companies + NGOs/local authorities
Expertise: service designers
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
05. Enrich the curriculum in art and design at schools, colleges and universities to incorporate advanced upcycling skills and knowledge
Importance 1 2 3 4 5
Feasibility 1 2 3 4 5
A very slow process + no guarantee
Could form the basis of a shift in cultural norms by e.g. early interest development for kids
Does upcycling need additional/advanced skills and knowledge? Isn’t it about the vision?
cf. Great Recovery Project and Ellen MacArthur Foundation
Initiate: Government + education boards
Expertise: designers + skilled craftspeople
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
06. Organise community-based upcycling family events, workshops and training sessions
NGOs + local authorities Importance 1 2 3 4 5
Feasibility 1 2 3 4 5
Already happening (e.g. Re-use network in London)
Who will fund?
Community cohesion may be the most useful outcome
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
07. Organise upcycling competitions in schools, universities, communities and industry
Importance 1 2 3 4 5
Feasibility 1 2 3 4 5
Useful for awareness raising – but only a first step toward change and mainstreaming
An upcycling festival could be more fun and inspirational
Role for the Design Council? Funding?
Initiate: Local authorities + companies + NGOs
Expertise: designers + skilled craftspeople
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
08. Design and provide effective communication materials (e.g. handbooks/brochures) to explain the benefits of individual upcycling to the general public and industry
Importance 1 2 3 4 5
Feasibility 1 2 3 4 5
Already happening
Easy win but unlikely to be effective in mainstreaming but useful when combined with e.g. workshop
More effective for the benefits to be demonstrated and information to help facilitate
Need to be very specific – a broader behaviour change campaign unlikely to have any impact
Current practitioners may perceive themselves as countercultural?
Initiate: NGOs + Government
Expertise: information & communication designers
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
09. Design and provide a ‘wow’ experience (e.g. pop-up stores) as an uncycling promotion campaign
Importance 1 2 3 4 5
Feasibility 1 2 3 4 5
Yes, as people often find inspiration through ‘wow’ experience vs. not sure about this campaign tool
May be effective in certain areas
Good idea for a pro-active PR company
Likely to reach only a small audience and need to be repeated regularly in many years
Initiate: NGOs + companies (social enterprises)
Expertise: user experience designers
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
10. Produce TV shows and other inspirational media (e.g. Youtube) to share best practices
Importance 1 2 3 4 5
Feasibility 1 2 3 4 5
Can significantly influence public perceptions over a longer time scale
Good means of communication through Youtube, Pinterest, Life Hacks, Tumblr, etc.
Not sure about the most appropriate media
Potential to connect with existing TV programmes (e.g. Britain’s empty homes)
With NGO-led initiatives, who will fund?
Initiate: NGOs + (broadcasting) companies
Expertise: designers + skilled craftspeople
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
11. Provide tax benefits and subsidies for upcycling-related businesses
Government Importance 1 2 3 4 5
Feasibility 1 2 3 4 5
Appealing in that it goes beyond awareness-raising vs. economic barriers probably not the main barrier (as opposed to time, efforts, skills, etc.)
currently politically unfeasible
A reduction on VAT in relation to upcycled products and used materials is essential
Cf. renewable subsidies such as FiTs and ROCs
Help with planning regulations, business rates and micro finance could be useful
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
12. Demonstrate high quality and value of upcycling through commissioning upcycling projects by famous artists and designers
Importance 1 2 3 4 5
Feasibility 1 2 3 4 5
Already happening (e.g. art works from recycled stuff) but more useful if it’s functional
Probably reach a small audience and may not actually encourage participation
Potential to connect with existing TV programmes (e.g. Britain’s empty homes)
Initiate: Companies + NGOs
Expertise: artists + designers
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
13. Demonstrate upcycled goods as a new social norm or standard by changing government procurement policy to favour upcycled goods
Government + local authorities Importance 1 2 3 4 5
Feasibility 1 2 3 4 5
Essential in the long term – rebuilding the trust in government + public procurement as a source of significant consumption and emissions
Difficult to achieve for cost, bureaucracies, lack of capacity, etc. – hard enough to achieve with simpler recycled/low carbon goods
Not sure about changing social norms (reducing environmental impact yes)
Hard to imagine concrete examples
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
14. Provide grants and subsidies for upcycling-related research and initiatives
Government Importance 1 2 3 4 5
Feasibility 1 2 3 4 5
More suitable for small-scale demonstration projects + research by professional companies
More appropriate for items that have a high environmental cost to recycle
Unlikely to happen unless linked to wider aspects of the circular economy
Very dependent on what the initiatives are
Who will fund? – government funding is probably unavailable
Increased attention from research council may be helpful but other areas of sustainability research would take priority as they would be more effective and achievable
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
15. Provide advice and consultancy on how to start a business based on upcycling
Importance 1 2 3 4 5
Feasibility 1 2 3 4 5
Easily integrated into the existing SMEs support
Useful for pre-start-ups and the unemployed
Best practice guidelines, exemplars, etc.
Advice for upcycling business necessarily different to other businesses?
Initiate: Local authorities + NGOs
Expertise: upcycling entrepreneurs (companies)
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
New, improved intervention suggestions? (5 mins)
Source: http://www.condenaststore.com/-sp/New-Improved-Cat-Can-I-get-you-anything-New-Yorker-Cartoon-Prints_i8575248_.htm
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
Combination of interventions for the biggest impact (5 mins)
Forget the feasibility!
Categorise them based on the potential impact on scaling up
- Big impact
- Medium impact
- Low impact
Card sorting exercise
1. Interventions with big impact
2. Interventions with medium impact
3. Interventions with low impact
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
Combination of interventions for short-term feasibility (5 mins)
Let’s be realistic!
Which combination of interventions are likely to be adopted and implemented for short-term and long-term?
Card sorting exercise
1. The combination of interventions for the short-term feasibility
2. Interventions for the long-term feasibility
Kyungeun Sung, Sustainable Consumption Research Group, School of Architecture, Design and the Built Environment
Thank you for your time and contribution!
[email protected] http://kyungeunsung.com/ https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Kyungeun_Sung