In a move to merge creativity with environmental commitment, Lékué and OiKo Design Office, the Barcelona-based studio led by Alumni Salva Codinach and Jose López-Aguilar, are changing the game in the design industry with a pioneering process of platinum silicone recycling.
OiKo Design Office initiates a pioneering collaboration with Lékué in favor of the circular economy.
03 Mar 2024
Platinum silicone, a durable and safe material widely used in Lékué’s product manufacturing, was previously considered non-recyclable due to its thermoset nature. However, thanks to OiKo Design Office’s research and development work, the team has challenged that notion, marking a significant milestone towards a more sustainable and circular business model.
“More than a year of intense work has allowed us to obtain innovative recycled materials from waste that previously ended up irrevocably in the landfill,” comment from OiKo Design Office, highlighting the effort dedicated to finding innovative solutions for contemporary environmental challenges.
The initiative is a technical achievement and an example of collaboration between the private and public sectors. With crucial support from the Waste Agency of Catalonia, the project has progressed towards implementing a recycling program that will benefit both the environment and consumers.
In the project’s first phase, a model was established to facilitate the collection of unused products, prioritizing consumer satisfaction to ensure their active participation. This phase was crucial in laying the groundwork for Récupéra, the Lékué product collection program, at the end of its useful life, which is currently in pilot testing at various retail points in Barcelona.
The Récupéra system allows customers to return their used products in specially designed containers and receive rewards for their next purchase. This initiative promotes product reuse and fosters a culture of conscious and responsible consumption.
In the final stage of the project, a comprehensive evaluation was conducted with a representative sample of users to determine their perceptions of the new recycled materials. Aesthetics, functional value, and even perceptions of quality and price of the different finishes were analyzed, ensuring that the recycled products meet the most demanding standards.
As a next step, once the recycling process is stabilized, further study will continue on the maximum amount of recycled material that can be incorporated, always ensuring the highest food safety standards for cooking products.
The collaboration between Lékué and OiKo Design Office represents a model to follow for the design and manufacturing industry, demonstrating that it is possible to innovate responsibly and sustainably.