이 프로젝트는 아모레퍼시픽 크리에이티브 센터의 선행디자인 프로그램인 Creative Partners 를 통해 제안한 아이디어에서 시작되었습니다.
An Upcycling Project Celebrating the Value of Sustainability
지속적인 쓰임의 가치를 담은 업사이클링 프로젝트
AMOREPACIFICMay 12, 2023
Background
As the “Less Plastic” campaign gains momentum, companies worldwide are searching for alternative materials.
Glass is often seen as an eco-friendly option, but ironically, its lifecycle—from manufacturing to disposal—is
highly energy-intensive and emits significant pollutants. This leads to an uncomfortable truth: if a glass
container is not recycled or reused, it can have a greater environmental impact than plastic.
While glass is undoubtedly the superior choice when properly recycled and reused, the problem
lies in our single-use culture, where it is often simply thrown away after one use.
This reality prompted us to ask: how can we design things to be kept and used for a long time?
This question became the starting point for our sustainable design research project.
We envisioned expanding the form and function of used cosmetic glass containers,
transforming them into new objects that carry the value of memory and reuse,
bringing a sense of healing to both nature and our daily lives.
Process
We began by exploring possibilities through multiple discussions with artist Park Seon Min,
who has extensive experience working with discarded glass bottles. Of course, by completely
melting the glass, we could have created any form we desired. However, we worked within the
constraints of the pre-formed industrial containers, where the reshaping techniques varied
depending on the original form and finish. Even with these limitations, our goal was to
minimize processing steps while maximizing the object’s usability and aesthetic integrity.
From the beginning, we reflected on the meaning of true upcycling. A core objective was to preserve
the inherent recyclability of the glass. We committed to transforming only the form of the
containers, without adding any other materials. This ensures that even after its second
life as an upcycled object, the glass can still be fully recycled or reused in the future.
Through various experiments, we were able to create new forms that preserved the history of
the original containers while highlighting their unique characteristics.
For example, with coated containers like Sulwhasoo’s, the thick coating would naturally
crack and the printed ink would fade as the bottle was heated and blown, leaving beautiful,
textured traces of its past life. For the Primera container, we focused on enhancing its
functionality while preserving its distinctive embossed logo. The bottom half, with its
embossed recycling symbol, was reshaped into a small dish. The top half was transformed
into an incense holder, and the two pieces can be stacked to create a diffuser or a mini vase.
Through various experiments, we found that with minimal processing,
we could create new forms that preserved the history of the original
containers while highlighting their unique characteristics.
For example, with coated containers like Sulwhasoo’s, as the glass was heated and blown,
the thick coating would naturally crack and the printed ink would fade.
This process left beautiful, textured traces of the container’s past life.
For the Primera container, our goal was to enhance functionality while preserving its distinctive embossed logo.
The lower portion, with its embossed recycling symbol, was retained and reshaped into a small dish.
The container was then divided into two parts: the upper neck was modified to become an incense holder,
while the lower part was finished as a versatile container.
When stacked together, these two pieces can be used as a diffuser or a mini vase.
Re: Shaped_Vase 1
By gently melting and reshaping the neck and screw-thread top common to all
cosmetic containers, we created a vase with a beautiful, multi-layered, wave-like form.
Re: Shaped_Vase 2, 3
The Hanyul containers were transformed into two sizes (for skin refiner and emulsion)
by expanding the lower portion, which allowed the faint traces of the original logo to remain.
The ‘before’ and ‘after’ versions of the upcycled containers were displayed side-by-side
for intuitive comparison. Using a modular system of trays and POP displays,
we presented them as a complete scene that could blend harmoniously into any space.
Amore Busan
These finished works are currently displayed at the Amore Busan store, presented as art
pieces combined with floral arrangements. By also showing them in a functional context—reused
as diffuser containers for our ‘Puzzlewood’ fragrance—we were able to let visitors
experience the entire journey of our empty bottles being upcycled and given a new purpose.
Through this project, we hope to foster a connection with our customers by
conveying the value of reuse. We have created these symbolic objects, imbued with a
message of corporate social responsibility, within a space that celebrates nature.
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We hope they will remain with us, and in our customers’ lives, for a long time to come.
