crQlr Awards showcases ideas of circular design possibilities

Until recently, most design work has focused on the economic value it can provide, but with the current climate crisis the world is facing, it is time for companies, municipalities, scientists, and all of us in society to work towards designing viable solutions to save the planet. The crQlr (pronounced: circular) Awards—sponsored by FabCafe Global and Loftwork Inc.—is Japan’s first platform that showcases promising innovation in circular economy and regenerative design that provide new ideas for social, ecological, and economic opportunities. The awards aim to put a focus on proactive initiatives in these areas and support a growing network of future creators.

The crQlr Awards committee spent two and a half months from 4th August to 22nd October gathering projects under the theme of “#forGood”—circular ideas and initiatives that make contributions to our lives, offer meaningful solutions to environmental challenges, and address themes in economic development.

The committee put up three designing concepts for the global awards:

1. Circular, not linear: networking events are open to all entrants, and ideas are developed and catalyzed through exchanges.
2. Action, not prestige: the premise of the Awards is to put ideas into action.
3. Gain a global perspective: the crQlr Summit was held in three locations around the world and offered hybrid online and offline attendance.

In response to their call for entries, they had 204 works from 24 countries from companies, organizations, startups, designers, and other creatives submitted, among which 63 projects were announced as winners in November. The crQlr Summit took place on December 1st and 2nd, 2021, and a discussion session was held by the winners and judges.

The judges included 19 creators and professionals from Japan and overseas, including Guillaume Charny Brunet, co-founder of SPACE 10, Fumio Nanjo, Special Advisor to Mori Art Museum, and Akihiro Yasui, a representative of Circular Initiatives & Partners.

Among the projects selected was Diaper Cycle of DYCLE Diaper CYCLE UG—a circular system of 100% bio-based and compostable diaper inlays. Another project selected was a TaiSugar Circular Village in Taiwan—a smart ecosystem city initiated by the Taiwanese government in 2016 that co-develops in line with nature and creates a people-oriented community. Further winner REolivar of Naifactory Lab is also unique in the sense that it uses olive pits to create transformative products. Kurokawa Onsen Area Community Compost Project also won an award. The team is based in Kumamoto’s Kurokawa hot spring area, and the project uses food residues from local hotels and fallen leaves in the region’s hot spring resort area to make fully ripe compost.

Check out their site to learn more about other interesting circular design projects.