Cupcrete

Papercups to Concrete for Heavenly

The design addresses challenges in paper cup recycling by introducing a novel method to create a new eco-green material called Cupcrete, developed by two sisters. It is formulated by blending cement with shredded paper cups, which are then mixed with water to form a fluid mixture. This mixture is poured into molds and left to dry, transforming into bricks, tiles, panels, furniture, and home accessories. The design offers lightweight construction and boasts acoustic and thermal insulation properties, along with reduced cost and superior environmental advantages.

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Cupcrete by Samira and Sepideh Kharazan

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Papercups to Concrete by Samira and Sepideh Kharazan

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Samira and Sepideh Kharazan Cupcrete

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Samira and Sepideh Kharazan Papercups to Concrete

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Samira and Sepideh Kharazan Design Team Photo

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Heavenly Brand Logo

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Unique Properties

Cupcrete represents an environmentally friendly variant of concrete crafted from recycled paper cups and Portland cement. Through a novel process for recycling paper cup waste, we have generated a new material akin to cotton, to formulate a green concrete dubbed 'Cupcrete'. This methodology offers an ecological solution for mitigating the consumption of natural resources and reducing waste production. The versatility of Cupcrete allows for numerous potential variations.

Tags

global warming, papercups waste, sustanable, upcycle, recycle, concrete, new material, innovation, construction, green

Production Technology

After the upcycling process of paper cups, which are transformed into a cotton-like material, this substance can then be blended with other recycled or sustainable materials such as cement, sand, or recycled textile fibers to enhance its strength and durability. Essentially, the constituents, when mixed in different proportions, produce concrete with varying properties, making it a versatile material for buildings, furniture, and accessories.

Design Challenge

The toughest aspect of the research was turning cups into a cotton-like material, mainly done at home. Another major challenge is properly collecting and sorting waste at the city level, requiring coordination with bureaucracy and adherence to local regulations. Collaborating with municipal authorities or relevant organizations is essential for program implementation. To address these challenges, we've developed smart bins for municipal presentation. This initiative aims to enhance city recycling and waste management efforts.

Project Duration

This project commenced in September 2022 in Milan and concluded in June 2023, also in Milan.

Operation Flow

Cupcrete is like the magic of turning paper cup waste into concrete! Just mix it up with cement and water, pour it into molds, and watch it transform. It's incredibly lightweight yet strong, keeping buildings quiet and cool. From walls to floors, even furniture, Cupcrete does it all! What's truly awesome is its eco-friendly nature, saving precious resources with every use. It outshines regular concrete with its lighter weight, lower cost, and superior environmental benefits. It's not just concrete; it's a revolution in building with heart and conscience.

Research

This abstract explores the transformation of paper cups into reusable options to address environmental issues. Cupcrete is formulated by combining cement, shredded paper cups, and sand (if required), which are then mixed with water to create a fluid mixture. This mixture is subsequently poured into blocks or panels and allowed to dry. With parental support, especially from our mother, a solution was found through thorough examination. Motivated by sustainability, the study delves into technical details such as cup materials and recycling challenges. It emphasizes innovative approaches like upcycling to reduce paper cup waste and promote sustainability. It's super light and keeps noise and heat out of buildings. You can use it for walls, floors, even furniture! It's awesome because it's eco-friendly and saves resources. It works better than regular concrete because it's lighter, cheaper, and better for the environment. Currently, we are engaging an Italian engineering team to work on obtaining detailed properties of this concrete.

Inspiration

This project, sparked by a TV program, addresses the environmental impact of paper cups. Despite being labeled recyclable, less than 1% of paper coffee cups are actually recycled due to the polyethylene coating inside. This is because of the complexities of separating plastic from paper during recycling, coupled with the high costs involved. Over 269 billion cups (weighing as much as one million elephants) end up in landfills yearly, taking over 20 years to decompose and releasing harmful pollutants.

Image Credits

Main Image #1: Samira Kharazan, 2024. Image #1 : Samira Kharazan, 2024. Image #2 : Samira Kharazan, 2024. Image #3 : Samira Kharazan, 2024. Image #4 : Samira Kharazan, 2024. Image #5 : Samira Kharazan, 2024. Video : Samira Kharazan, 2024.

Project Overview

Cupcrete Papercups to Concrete has been a Bronze winner in the Sustainable Products, Projects and Green Design award category in the year 2023 organized by the prestigious A' Design Award & Competition. The Bronze A' Design Award is given to outstanding designs that showcase a high degree of creativity and practicality. It recognizes the dedication and skill of designers who produce work that stands out for its thoughtful development and innovative use of materials and technology. These designs are acknowledged for their professional execution and potential to influence industry standards positively. Winning this award highlights the designer's ability to blend form and function effectively, offering solutions that enhance people's lives and wellbeing.

Bronze Recognition

Samira and Sepideh Kharazan was recognized with the coveted Bronze A' Design Award in 2024, a testament to excellence of their work Cupcrete Papercups to Concrete.

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