Speaking of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), I am reminded of a unique business model that helps many corporates fulfil their CSR!

Gabarage Upcycling Design is a unique socio-economic eco initiative in Austria, dedicated to upcycling. The business re-use of residual materials to transform them into stylish fashion or furniture design pieces. 

I had come across their outlet in St Polten, Austria, five years ago and also reported their activity on this forum. With 2 stores, one in St. Polten and the other in Austrian capital Vienna, the initiative gives new life to old materials. They are funded by the European Social Fund, the AMS (Public Employment Service) Vienna and the SDW (Organisation related to Rehabilitation of Substance Abuse victims).

They design and produce products from leftover, overproduction and waste materials. All products are re-manufactured keeping sustainability in mind, using materials that are no longer needed or are already partly disposed. In making these products, for sale in their outlets or for private customers and corporates, Gabarage also offers jobs to disadvantaged people, thus serving not only environmental but also social sustainability.

The Gabarage designers and craftsmen give new shape and function to waste materials, by up-cycling leftover materials to create everyday objects, as also unique individual items and unparalleled limited editions. With a new look and a new function, the products are not only eye-catching but also practical and useful. Unique and sustainable product solutions with excellent craftsmanship include jewelry, accessories, furniture, bags, lamps and more. Gabarage also welcome ideas and special requests from customers.

With innovative ideas that know no boundaries, Gabarage products range from individual products like high tables made from film containers to serial products like the very popular classic shoulder bags branded as Gaba-bags made from used advertising tarpaulins and truck canvas. X-ray films become lampshades, worn-out traffic signs are reused as shelves. Innovative and practical product range includes bags derived from filing folders, bowling pins converted into pin-vases, old escalators turned into sofas and so much more.

“Up-cycling” obviously is one step above “recycling” as the product life cycle is prolonged and upgraded, as well as the process requires lesser resources. As a CSR partner for corporates, Gabarage collects left overs and unusable items from these companies; and develops these into sustainable items such as advertising material, give-aways, office equipment and furniture; all made from leftover material of the respective company. The customers and partners of Gabarage consciously decide for the assumption of social responsibility and the principle of sustainability. Operating economically in a sustainable manner on a social and ecological basis, the products thus designed take this message of sustainability to the businesses as well as to public in general.

Besides being a reliable CSR partnet, the story of Gabarage highlights the benefits of Up-cycling  of versus Recycling.

During recycling, waste products are reused or returned to their raw materials (secondary raw materials). Extremely high energy input is often necessary to turn the materials back into a usable commodity. Furthermore, plastic recycling for instance, entails that the material no longer meets the original quality or processability as in primary production before recycling. This devaluation is termed as down-cycling. Residual substances or Rejects may also accumulate during the recycling process, adding to the waste. On the other hand up-cycling involves recycling from waste materials in a way that the need of new raw materials is reduced as also producing higher quality and higher value products than the original, leading to a material upgrade and revaluation.

Gabarage successfully illustrates the significance of Upcycling towards environmental and social sustainability.

Reference and Sources:

For more information and to check out the products, please visit the website.

https://www.gabarage.at/