RE:INVENTION by Singapore Science Park
RE:INVENTION Panel presented by Singapore Science Park
Imagining Waste Differently.
From plastic packaging to electronic devices, products are often designed for convenience and short-term use, with little thought about what happens after disposal. But what if we could change that narrative? What if we saw waste not as an end, but as a new beginning?
Milli Mycomaterials is absolutely thrilled to be a part of the REINVENTION Panel by Singapore Design Week on the 20th of September @ Singapore Science Park! Last week, our Founder Laurie joined an exceptional group of young business leaders, designers and creatives on the forefront of Singapore’s design and sustainability movement!
Waste, a resource in the wrong place.
This 5 member panel re-thinks waste in Singapore, highlighting local creatives and designers who have made it their mission to change the way everyday Singaporeans view trash. They spoke on what sustainability really means to them beyond just recycling, highlighting the limits and possibilities of the reinvention of waste materials and to re-define how the public perceives waste.
The group panel moderated by Ting Zhi from WASTD showcases 5 founders of local brands such as Milli Mycomaterials, Magorium, Roger&Sons as well as Restore. All of whom have built their respective businesses on the ideals of being eco-conscious and environmentally sustainable. Five different businesses, yet all converging together to re-think and re-purpose waste here on our little red dot.
“Singapore has rich examples of creative reuse. You don’t need to look far to find inspiration.”
Going deeper than just conventional recycling alone, the panel discussion examines the cultural significance, technical challenges, and pain points their businesses face. The challenges and obstacles of sustaining a sustainable business, at the same time committing to their ideals and principles of making a positive impact on the world.
These forward thinking individuals have made it their calling to turn everyday discarded, unwanted waste into a business model that strives to make a difference, especially in a world of hyper consumption. Transforming materials that would be otherwise be considered as thrash into thoughtful, innovative green products & solutions that not only support but also contribute to the local circular economy in Singapore.
Panelist Overview
Left - Right: Ting Zhi :”WASTD) , Claudia (Restore) Chu Xian (Magorium) Laurie (Milli Mycomaterials) and Morgan (Roger&Sons)
WASTD is the brainchild of Tingzhi, a material and surface designer with over a decade of experience in fashion. They’re a modern studio for materials, surfaces, patterns, and objects, collaborating with manufacturers to transform discarded materials into design-driven pieces that tell a story.
Magorium aims to provide businesses and developers with the ability to dispose of plastics responsibly, quickly and affordably, through their proprietary recycling technology NEWBitumen. Eventually moving beyond the reliance of wasteful incineration and disposal of plastics.
Local carpenters reinventing offcut wood into furniture and public objects. Rogers&Sons are team of ethical makers and mavericks who craft fine furniture and thoughtful objects. Their work is driven by inquiry, and spans disciplines: furniture, industrial, and product design, as well as woodworking.
Re-store is synonymous with upcycling, where discarded textiles are transformed into thoughtful and well-designed products. They aim to reshape the narrative of consumption, redefine the boundaries of design, and inspire our community to repurpose, rebuild and restore our world with one conscious choice at a time.
Milli Mycomaterials
At Milli Singapore, we’re pioneering a new wave of radically sustainable materials using mycelium technology. Our myco-materials are grown on waste substrate, converting them downstream into sustainable products and building alternatives that have the potential to outperform traditional materials spanning interior design, insulation, soundproofing and packaging sectors.
Nature as Architect, Working with Fungi.
Laurie - Milli Mycomaterials, touched on how re-imagining waste begins with awareness and public education, but flourishes through action. Despite initiatives by the government, everyone has their part to play. Schools, organizations, and communities must work together to integrate sustainability into everyday life as every effort helps shift society toward being more environmentally responsible.
She also talks about her experiences in life that lead her on her journey of the development and creation of better building materials using Mycelium technology. How her fascination with architecture, fungi and nature set her on a path to start Milli Mycomaterials, where she envisions a world that thrives on renewal rather than depletion, a world where waste becomes possibility.
Cultural and visual storytelling matters.
Panelists Chu Xian - Magorium, Morgan - Roger&Sons and Claudia - Restore also gave their insights and thoughts on why it is vital to educate the public on reimagining waste products and how it shifts society from a “take and dispose” mindset toward a circular system that benefits both people and the planet. They also spoke on how reinvention emerges from public education, creative thinking, hands-on workshops and the streets.
Chu Xian highlights how panels like this, pushes communities and industries to think differently about design and production. She brought up the staggering statistic of how unrecycled plastic waste locally accumulates at 91% due to increasingly rapid consumption and urbanization, a number that her business aims to lower. She stresses the importance of individual responsibility to cultivate a responsible and minimal-waste society.
While Claudia touched on how reuse isn’t just a practical way of life. To her it’s emotional, symbolic, and worth celebrating, that every individual has a story worth telling. By reshaping the narrative of waste consumption and management through visual storytelling and creative thinking, she hopes to bring more minds to the idea, that value and purpose can again be found in what was once discarded.
Morgan added that despite the difficulties and challenges in running a sustainable venture, he too has faith that through the design of products, solutions and services that the panel’s collective businesses’ create will inspire and encourage more Singaporeans to take affirmative personal action. He believes when people understand that discarded materials can be reused, or transformed into new resources, they’ll begin to adopt more sustainable lifestyles. They will consume more consciously, support eco-friendly businesses, and become active participants in protecting the planet.
