Unwasted

Episode 1: Anna Maria Sand Jensen

Product: Unwasted Collection

What is the material composition?

The Unwasted project has a material-library of over 50 types of clay bodies and waste glazes, based on 10% to 100% waste materials, with minimal reliance on virgin materials. I source bio-based materials such as eggshells and straw, as well as broken ceramics and glass, working with local farms, food industries, and recycling stations. The goal is to circulate waste materials into ceramics while reducing the need for mined resources, integrating them into the built environment as tiles and indoors for instance as tableware.

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How did you create the concept for this product?

I always have been very curious and conscious in my approach to materials. The concept emerged during my first week studying CRAFT in Glass and Ceramics, when I became aware of the mining industry's environmental impact and ceramic production. Faced with a choice, I committed to addressing waste through innovative design towards positive change, showcasing overlooked beauty through repurposed materials. This project also promotes mental well-being integrating craftmanship in our living spaces and encouraging tactile interaction with diverse surfaces and objects.

How long did it take you to figure out how to make this material? Was there a lot of trial and error?

Over many years, I developed a waste-based material library through constant testing and experimentation. Embracing unpredictability, I learned to work with the natural variations in waste materials, seeing every result as an opportunity for new applications. A constant learning, analysing and letting go again. I've been able to reintroduce my own production failures back into the materials, effectively closing the waste stream loop within my practice.

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What is the lifespan of this product?

Unwasted ceramics have a lifespan comparable to traditional ceramics. When they break, they can be crushed and repurposed into new designs. Their use in built environments, both as tiles and as tableware indoors, brings natural textures and colours that enhance well-being through sensory engagement.

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Where do you source your materials to make this product?

I explore waste streams within various ecosystems, focusing on urban mining to extract value from what would otherwise go to landfills. I view material abstractly ' and creatively trying to find ways to reusing and unwasting it. I am collaborating with local businesses to find new uses for their waste by-products and fusing different professional fields. My focus is on making smaller ecosystems, so I set up a Mini Recycling Station in the academy workshop to collect ceramic shards and glass from other students, to unwaste.

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What uses has this material currently got? What are its real-life applications?

Unwasted tiles and waste-glazes are currently suitable for indoor use, such as kitchens and bathroom applications. I'm also testing their durability for outdoor applications, such as building facades. The Unwasted Circular Collection of cups and tableware has been well-received, and I'm exploring new designs like lamps, showcasing the beauty of repurposed waste.

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What uses do you see this material having in the future, and to what scale can this product be used?

The *Unwasted* project has broad potential'from tiles in homes to cups on dining tables. Its diverse compositions make it adaptable for various uses, offering a sustainable alternative to traditional ceramics. It can enhance both interior and exterior spaces, offering tactile surfaces that imitate nature, which supports mental health and well-being.

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What measures do you take to ensure that you are making this product in the most environmentally conscious way possible?

I recycle my own production failures, transforming broken pieces into new materials. Glaze residues are trapped to prevent pollution, and I make single firings as well as raw-glazing to reduce CO2 emissions. Many materials, like eggshells, are carbon-neutral, and I choose primarily non-waste materials locally to minimize environmental impact. My focus on high craftsmanship ensures that each piece is not only sustainable but also offers long-term value in our living environments.

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