Abstract:
The ceramic industry has been important to the Thai economy from the past. And in every
step of the production process of ceramic products causing all pollution problems. In addition,
coated ceramic products are difficult to recycle, it uses energy-intensive and is a highly costly
process. Thus, this research aims to be a part of reducing environmental problems and creating sustainability through the development of environmentally friendly materials as much as possible. The study of The Upcycling Product Design from Waste Ceramic Materials through Environmental Design Concept has the objective following this; 1) To study the concepts of environmental design and the concept of Upcycling that will be useful in the development and design of products from ceramic waste; 2) To study and experiment on the techniques for enhancing the ceramic waste materials that discovering the advantages and disadvantages of various techniques, which applied in upcycling product design; and 3) to develop and design products from ceramic waste with an environmental design concept that will be a new alternative method, reducing a waste ceramics while can value-added them.
The study found that the product design of waste ceramic from the manufacturing process
through an environmental design concept for increases the quality and benefits is consistent with upcycling. It is the development and design with creativity to create the aesthetic product and functional consideration. There is 3 key consisted concepts: 1) the 4R principle (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle and Repair), 2) consideration of the life-long of products and materials, and 3) modifying the usage and functions. Additionally, there are 5 prototypes in the lifestyle category, corresponding to the target group. The prototypes consist of 2 designs of coffee drippers, 1 design of tray, and 2 designs of chairs through techniques from the experimental process which is the combination of 2 materials by weaving, grooving and lacquer gluing. It is a combination of using wisdom to create works, adding value to the product and minimizing the uses of materials.
Finally, the development and design of upcycling products from waste ceramic with an
environmental design concept is a new alternative, showing different styles and reducing waste ceramic while adding -value to answer the objectives of this established research.