7 Believing in Better We believe that waste is only waste because we've defined it that way. It's really just something we haven't figured out what to do with yet. Inspired by the principles of biomimicry, Kohler associates passionate about the environment and determined to make a difference developed the WasteLAB, a concept that emerged from our in-house incubator Innovation for Good. Here, Kohler designers and sustainability experts are using waste materials such as foundry dust, pottery cull, and enamel powder to create actual products, like tile and coasters. The latest WasteLAB challenge is determining how to convert wastewater sludge-one of our largest waste streams-into the material basis for future commercially viable products with a strong consumer demand. The team is currently conducting research and development projects on the sludge to develop a process that allows us to reuse it for making products, like tiles. There is precedent for such transformation. In 2019, the KOHLER WasteLAB partnered with ANN SACKS to launch The Crackle Collection-a tile line created from recycled dry cull. Since the inception and launch of WasteLAB in 2019, over 6,000 sq ft of Crackle Collection tile has been sold. The successful ongoing production and sales of the popular Crackle Collection furthers our belief that waste can hold value and can offer new possibilities of growth. Since the KOHLER WasteLAB debuted The Crackle Collection in 2019, it has been lauded by both the design and sustainability community. Most recently, the innovative tile series was recognized by the Fast Company World Changing Ideas Awards 2020, receiving an honorable mention in the Art & Design category for "projects using design as the vehicle to shake up conversations surrounding society's most pressing issues." The Crackle Collection transforms recycled pottery cull into handmade tiles covered with a unique glaze designed to pool and break over the tiled surface during firing. The result is a delicate crackle that carries across the tile face, emerging through the deep, rich color.
8.7
TONS OF WASTE DIVERTED FROM LANDFILL THROUGH KOHLER WASTELAB SALES AND PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT IN 2020
KOHLER WasteLAB - An Innovation for Good Success Story World-Changing Ideas
Honorable Mention: The Crackle Collection-the
Fast Company
World Changing Ideas Awards 2020
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