“leaf” by buøy – new desk organizers made from recycled ocean plastics

The world’s plastic waste crisis is a snowballing phenomenon. However, there is also a growth in public awareness and action taken by businesses and organizations. buøy is one such brand.

Social Products Award (2021) winner buøy is an upcycle brand launched by Techno Labo. It was founded in July 2020 and offers products such as trays and coasters made from recycled ocean plastics. Due to popular demand, a new series “leaf”, was released in February.

The leaf series consists of trays that are designed in desk-friendly sizes, useful for desk organization. They come in three colors: red, yellow and green, and are priced from 1300 to 3000 yen each. These trays come in muted motifs that allow their unique shapes to stand out. The leaf series is now available on buøy’s online store.

Upcycled products from ocean waste plastics

Techno Labo is a plastic manufacturer whose core business lies in the development of plastic products. Their research includes design, mechanical engineering, prototyping, and low-volume production. The company utilizes its expertise in plastic to respond to the problems faced by the polluted ocean. They conducted a successful crowdfunding project in 2020, making it possible for buøy to pilot its first series of products last summer.

Ocean plastics are materials that are not easy to recycle. Plastics that are exposed to saltwater and ultraviolet light turn into fragments. These tiny pieces of plastics, also known as microplastics, are difficult to separate for recycling. However, microplastics have a silver lining – they form beautiful patterns when massed, a design well received by many.

buøy wants to inform people about the ocean plastic problem through their products. On top of raising public awareness, they also hope to encourage their users to rethink their use and longevity of consumer products. Unlike fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG), buøy’s products are made to be durable, in the hope to inspire people to purchase and consume with intention.

The brand intends to continue growing its range of products through a combination of research and development of plastic manufacturing, the ocean plastic problem, and consumer demand.