kosuke araki turns daily food waste into collection of tableware and vessels

japanese designer kosuke araki creates series of tableware and vessels using daily food waste with the intention to make users reflect on their daily consumption patterns. the anima collection is made from carbonized vegetable waste mixed with animal glue and finished with urushi, a japanese lacquer that historically has a close relationship with food. techniques to adjust the viscosity of urushi involve mixing it with foods such as rice or tofu – an aspect which the designer has revisited in a contemporary way.

the anima collection

all images © kosuke araki

kosuke araki started working with food waste first in 2013, during his graduation project at the RCA where he documented local food waste at several london markets and shops as well as his own kitchen and used it to make tableware. ‘food waste ware’, the first collection he produced is presented alongside a booklet with instructions on how to turn food waste into tableware. to urge viewers to imagine what they can do as individuals, both the booklet and the mould used for forming tableware are designed as if they are an actual recipe book and a real kitchen utensil. both anima and food waste ware are on show until 30 september at the museum of applied arts in berlin (kunstgewerbemuseum) as part of the ‘food revolution 5.0’ exhibition.

food waste ware research booklet and moulds

waste after the food market in portobello, london

food waste collected from food markets and shops

one month record of food waste collected from the designer’s kitchen

anima vessels

anima bowl

anima bowl detail

anima cup

food waste ware moulds and tableware
image © masami naruo

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: sofia lekka angelopoulou | designboom