Imagine everyday objects were more than just plain tools. What if they were little gems that delight us with their elegant and expressive design? What would that look like? Let’s take a watering can as an example. A watering can that looks almost futuristic with its clean, geometric shapes and blends perfectly into any household with its subdued colors. Skillfully placed color accents provide an appealing finish. Now, imagine this high-quality, elegant-looking product was made entirely from production residues.
Does that sound like a paradox? It doesn’t have to be, as LEONHARD KURZ now demonstrates by designing a stylish watering can from recycled material. For a long time, brilliant design and sustainable production were mutually exclusive. Today, the balanced combination of these two elements is no longer a futuristic fantasy, thanks to highly developed technologies and true innovation.
As an expert in designing functional and decorative surfaces and as a pioneer in the field of sustainability, KURZ was the first company in the plastics industry to create a recycling loop: Surplus carrier material from the graphic industry is used to produce RECOPOUND®, a high-quality post-industrial recycling compound. The durable and resistant material is ideal for manufacturing new products such as the watering can using injection molding, thus breathing new life into used PET material – a significant added value for industry and society alike. KURZ has been committed to greater environmental protection and the responsible use of resources for decades. The company has set itself the goal of contributing to a circular economy and supporting its customers make their carbon footprint greener.
The watering can delivers a vivid example of the company’s commitment. Not only does RECOPOUND® consume up to 40 percent less CO2 than new material, but it also saves fossil raw materials. Last but not least, KURZ produces RECOPOUND® with renewable energy from its own resources. The KURZ vision for more sustainability in product design runs like a red thread not only through the production process but also through the finishing of the watering can.
Bright color accents and eye-catching metallization can be applied using hot stamping – a more environmentally friendly technology than conventional lacquering. There are infinite design possibilities without any impact on recyclability: Products made from RECOPOUND® and finished using hot stamping, such as the elegant watering can, can also be recycled – an important step towards a genuine circular economy.
Category:Green ProductsYear:2024Designers:Leonhard Kurz Stiftung & Co. KG., Fuerth, GermanyManufacturer:Leonhard Kurz Stiftung & Co. KG., Fuerth, Germany
