Covid-19 had far reaching effects on all aspects of life, including a pandemic of plastic pollution. Alongside a spike in medical waste, it seems we’ve been turning to single use plastics for our cutlery and food containers as advice on eating hygienically has shifted. As the world slowly and tentatively begins to look forwards, Pentatonic (longtime proponent of circular economies) has sought an environmentally friendly alternative for on-the-go dining that still protects our health.
The design and technology company has partnered Pharrell William’s I am Other entrepreneurial collective on ‘The Pebble by Otherware’, a colourful dining kit that clips onto your bag. Containing a fork, knife, spoon, straw and chopsticks, the elements fold away into a neat and easily portable pebble shape, providing ‘peace of mind in regards to personal hygiene’, says Pentatonic. After debuting a colorful kit for the project’s launch earlier in 2020, the collective now presents its first creative collaboration, a new grey version created with New York-based architecture practice Snarkitecture. The designers chose a shade they dubbed 'triple-grey', which results in an identical finish across multiple materials.
‘We can all benefit by using things more than once, especially when it comes to single use plastics like cutlery and straws,’ says Snarkitecture co-founder, Alex Mustonen. ‘We love the idea of making more by using less, and by creating our version of the Pebble with 100% recycled materials we are excited to do just that - while being able to eat our cake with it too.’
Otherware touts the kit as ‘completely sustainable’: produced entirely from recycled materials – including CD’s, in a nod to Pharrell’s roots in music – its every component can be recycled again. Staying true to the circularity it’s known for, Pentatonic will buy the pod back at trade value at end-of-life, so its materials can be made into something else.
‘Sustainable design is more important than ever,’ adds Daniel Arsham, co-founder of Snarkitecture. ‘We're proud to play a role in Otherware's mission to reduce waste and provide an alternative to single-use plastic cutlery.’
The original ‘The Pebble by Otherware', launched earlier in 2020
The original ‘The Pebble by Otherware', launched earlier in 2020
The original ‘The Pebble by Otherware', launched earlier in 2020
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