A stone object made from upcycled Osulloc green tea leaves
Summary
Behind the large-scale consumption of green tea each year lies a significant amount of by-products that are discarded without being fully utilized. This project seeks to go
beyond mere consumption by giving new life to these valuable resources from Jeju, the homeland of green tea, in the form of sustainable beauty.
Grounded in the belief that beauty derived from nature should ultimately return to nature, the project began with a reflection on how to reinterpret discarded tea leaves, a cultural heritage and core element of the brand’s identity, into a visual expression of circular philosophy.
Grounded in the belief that beauty derived from nature should ultimately return to nature, the project began with a reflection on how to reinterpret discarded tea leaves, a cultural heritage and core element of the brand’s identity, into a visual expression of circular philosophy.
O’Sulloc green tea, cultivated in the pristine nature of Jeju, yields some leaves that cannot be commercialized due to subtle variations in appearance during the manufacturing process.
Although their flavor and nutritional value remain intact, leaves with short stems or irregular shapes are excluded from selection and often repurposed as fertilizer or animal feed.
Yet, we turned our attention to the potential and hidden beauty within these discarded leaves—seeking new purpose and meaning beyond their original form.
There were limitations in achieving the desired form when crafting stones made entirely from 100% waste green tea.
To address this, we explored a variety of eco-friendly materials and ultimately selected foamed ceramic as the most suitable option. Foamed ceramic features a porous structure with pores of varying sizes, offering excellent fragrance diffusion and longevity. When combined with waste green tea, it ensures both structural stability and functional performance. In addition, as a non-combustible material made from natural mineral resources, it places minimal burden on both the human body and the environment even during long-term use — making it an ideal choice that perfectly aligns with the purpose of this upcycling project.
To address this, we explored a variety of eco-friendly materials and ultimately selected foamed ceramic as the most suitable option. Foamed ceramic features a porous structure with pores of varying sizes, offering excellent fragrance diffusion and longevity. When combined with waste green tea, it ensures both structural stability and functional performance. In addition, as a non-combustible material made from natural mineral resources, it places minimal burden on both the human body and the environment even during long-term use — making it an ideal choice that perfectly aligns with the purpose of this upcycling project.
The form was designed with a concave top to help the oil absorb efficiently,expanding gently toward the base.
As a compact, portable object, it offers versatile possibilities for everyday use.
As a compact, portable object, it offers versatile possibilities for everyday use.
The stone-making process involved personally testing each stage and meticulously handcrafting every piece.
Discarded green tea leaves collected from O’Sulloc were prepared in three different textures — finely ground, medium-ground, and unground. We experimented with various combinations by adjusting the mixing ratio with foamed ceramic and the temperature of the water. The final mixture was then poured into molds to define the form and complete the production process.
Discarded green tea leaves collected from O’Sulloc were prepared in three different textures — finely ground, medium-ground, and unground. We experimented with various combinations by adjusting the mixing ratio with foamed ceramic and the temperature of the water. The final mixture was then poured into molds to define the form and complete the production process.
The texture of each stone varied distinctly depending on the combination of mixing ratio and particle size.
The surface grain shifted, and the depth and shape of the pores changed according to the water temperature, mixture density, and granularity of the spent green tea leaves. With each experiment, the subtle material nuances born from these small variations became increasingly perceptible. Each unique texture transcended mere form—becoming another mode of expression that embodied the tactile sensations felt at the fingertips and the gentle flow of fragrance.
The surface grain shifted, and the depth and shape of the pores changed according to the water temperature, mixture density, and granularity of the spent green tea leaves. With each experiment, the subtle material nuances born from these small variations became increasingly perceptible. Each unique texture transcended mere form—becoming another mode of expression that embodied the tactile sensations felt at the fingertips and the gentle flow of fragrance.
- Amorepacific Creatives
- Product Design
- 구혜원, 김소영, 김태은
- Photography
- 이윤진
