Discovering the Beauty in Waste: KOHLER WasteLAB’s Sustainable Approach
KOHLER, a renowned name in the world of bathroom fixtures, is leading the charge towards a more sustainable future with their innovative KOHLER WasteLAB initiative. Driven by a passion for sustainability, the WasteLAB takes landfill-bound materials left over from the manufacturing process and transforms them into functional products of style and beauty.
Embracing the principles of a circular economy, the WasteLAB team looks to nature as a model, recognizing that within nature’s cycles of growth and decay, waste simply doesn’t exist. By applying these natural systems to their manufacturing processes, KOHLER is able to reuse, rethink, and repurpose their waste streams, creating stunning products that not only reduce environmental impact but also captivate with their unique aesthetic.
Handcrafted Masterpieces: The Artistry of WasteLAB Sinks
One of the standout achievements of the KOHLER WasteLAB is the Vox vessel sink, a bathroom sink made with 70% recycled manufacturing materials. Each sink is handcrafted by the skilled WasteLAB artisans, resulting in a one-of-a-kind matte terrazzo pattern that beautifully showcases the repurposed materials.
But the WasteLAB’s sustainability efforts don’t stop there. The Abstra Collection, featuring three-dimensional reliefs of intersecting lines, is also made from nearly 100% recycled waste materials. This innovative design not only reduces environmental impact but also creates a dynamic interplay of light and shadow, making each installation a unique expression of personal style.
KOHLER’s WasteLAB has received recognition for its groundbreaking work, including an Honorable Mention from Fast Company for its “World Changing Ideas” and the Sustainability Product of the Year Award from the Business Intelligence Group.
Embracing Creativity and Sustainability: The Crackle Collection by KOHLER WasteLAB
Another standout product from the KOHLER WasteLAB is the Crackle Collection, which showcases the team’s ability to transform waste into art. These handcrafted tiles feature a dimensional visual effect achieved through a unique glaze that pools and breaks over the textured surface during firing.
The Crackle Collection not only demonstrates the WasteLAB’s commitment to sustainability but also highlights their dedication to creative expression. By repurposing manufacturing waste, the team has found innovative ways to bring a touch of artistic flair to everyday surfaces, elevating the concept of sustainable design.
Continuous Innovation: Expanding the Limits of Waste Transformation
The KOHLER WasteLAB’s commitment to sustainability goes beyond just bathroom fixtures. The team is constantly exploring new manufacturing waste streams and their potential to be repurposed into products of beauty and sophistication.
From dry pottery cull to cast iron slag waste, glaze waste, and even pottery wastewater sludge, the WasteLAB is leaving no stone unturned in its quest to find innovative ways to transform waste into something remarkable. This tireless effort has not only led to the creation of stunning products but has also earned KOHLER recognition as a Design Company of the Year finalist by Fast Company.
Inspiring a Sustainable Future: Collaboration with Nada Debs
KOHLER’s WasteLAB has also found inspiration and collaboration in the work of renowned designer Nada Debs, who shares the team’s passion for sustainability and creative expression. Together, they have brought to life the Transcendence tile collection, which features a stunning canvas of unlimited creative expression made from repurposed manufacturing by-products.
Debs’ unique perspective, blending craft techniques, geometric simplicity, and sustainable practices, has helped to elevate the WasteLAB’s mission, creating products that “touch what is universal to the human experience.” This collaborative effort not only showcases the beauty of recycled materials but also demonstrates the power of design to inspire and connect people.
A Sustainable Future Starts with One Sink
At the heart of KOHLER’s WasteLAB lies a simple but profound belief: that waste can be transformed into something extraordinary. By embracing the principles of a circular economy and looking to nature for inspiration, the team has proven that sustainability and design can go hand in hand, creating products that not only reduce environmental impact but also captivate the senses.
As homeowners, interior designers, and contractors seek out unique and sustainable bathroom fixtures, the KOHLER WasteLAB’s innovative offerings stand out as a shining example of what’s possible when creativity and environmental responsibility converge. By choosing a WasteLAB sink or tile, customers can not only elevate the style and functionality of their bathroom but also contribute to a more sustainable future, one sink at a time.
Explore the full range of sustainable bathroom fixtures offered by KOHLER WasteLAB and discover how you can incorporate the beauty of reclaimed materials into your dream bathroom.
