Alco
Recycled/Recyclable Micro-Vessel
DATE - SPRING 2024
TIMELINE - 8-WEEK PROJECT
Alco
Standing at 2.5” tall, Alco is a versatile micro-vessel for the home. Alco is made of recycled schedule ten aluminum pipe and champagne cork, made as a batch of 30 as part of the ReMade project, and sold at local design store Ideal.
How might I create and sell a recyclable product from reclaimed materials?
Central Question
Sourcing Materials
One challenge of this project was to gather materials that would have been discarded without intervention.
I collected champagne corks from local restaurants and through local wine clubs (thanks Facebook Marketplace!)
The thin aluminum piping was found at a nearby metal scrap yard in bad condition.
Refinement
Producing
Ideation
Introducing Alco
Alco is a microvessel featuring reprocessing-bound aluminum pipe stoppered with reclaimed champagne cork. It serves as a versatile companion for home organization, whether you’re arranging toothpicks, matches, or showcasing small plants.
The aluminum, often melted down at great environmental cost, finds new life in Alco’s durable structure.
Complementing this, the reclaimed champagne cork transforms what would be waste into a feature of watertight utility.
At the end of Alco’s life, the aluminum and cork pieces, held together by friction, can be separated. The aluminum may be recycled and the cork may be composted.
Whether it holds tiny keepsakes, a balanced writing utensil, or a sprouting succulent, Alco is the perfect vessel for your desktop.
