21^st Eco-gen Ambassador Program- Free Report, November 2018

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

I came to know about them when I happened to pass their outlet during a walk in the downtown street of St Polten, the capital of Lower Austria. Thereafter I searched and found them online. With 2 stores, one in St. Polten and the other in Austrian capital Vienna, the initiative funded by the European Social Fund, the AMS (Public Employment Service) Vienna and the SDW (Organisation related to Rehabilitation of Substance Abuse victims), gives new life to old materials.

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.

Ms. Gabriele Gottwald-Nathaniel, initiator and strategic director of Gabarage, administrative director of the Anton Proksch Institute (the largest addiction clinic in Europe) and co-founder of the homeless newspaper Augustin, has made it her mission to give socially disadvantaged people the chance to return to work for environmental sustainability.

Design Philosophy

The Gabarage team of designers and craftsmen, takes gives a new shape and function to waste materials, by up-cycling of 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 as eye-catching but also practical in use. 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.

Products

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.

Ecology

“Up-cycling” obviously is one step above “recycling” as the product life cycle is prolonged and upgraded. Gabarage processes reduce waste and send an important “Do not throw-away” message is sent to the society. 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.

Conclusion

Through the story of Gabarage, before I conclude, I want to broach the topic of Recycling versus Up-cycling.

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 please visit the website.

https://www.gabarage.at/

Appended below are some of the photos that I clicked at the Gabarage Outlet in St Polten, Austria.