Recycled Plastic Transformed: LTU Students Win Award for Sustainable Design Collection
In an inspiring display of creativity and environmental consciousness, six sophomore Product Design students from Lawrence Technological University (LTU) have garnered significant recognition for their innovative furniture and lighting collection. This distinctive series, which also includes a unique room divider, stands out for its cohesive design and its foundational material: 100% recycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) derived from post-consumer plastic, notably discarded milk crates. The project's success culminated in LTU receiving the prestigious 'Best of Schools' award at this year’s WANTED Schools Showcase, held during the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF).
LTU Students Champion Circular Design with Award-Winning Recycled Plastic Collection
In a groundbreaking initiative, six talented sophomore Product Design students from Lawrence Technological University (LTU) in Southfield, Michigan, have proven that sustainability and luxury can coexist beautifully. Their innovative collection, comprising various furniture, lighting fixtures, and a distinctive room divider, was honored with the 'Best of Schools' award at the recent WANTED Schools Showcase during ICFF (International Contemporary Furniture Fair).
The entire collection was born from the university's Sustainable Systems course and developed in collaboration with Michigan-based manufacturer Design Declassified, with additional support from the Centrepolis Accelerator. Rather than viewing recycled HDPE sheets as a design constraint, the students—Ashgen Boyer, Dante Cerroni, Lourdes Davish, Sofia Eddy, Delanie Shorten, and Ryan Sukhraj—embraced the material's unique properties. Their collective efforts led to the creation of aesthetically compelling and structurally sound pieces, effectively diverting approximately 1,300 pounds of plastic waste from landfills and showcasing the immense potential of reclaimed materials beyond their traditional uses.
Adjunct Professor Erika Cross, who both teaches the Sustainable Systems course and curated the award-winning exhibition, noted the particular significance of this achievement. Unlike typical school showcases that feature a curated selection of works from across an entire design program, LTU's exhibit was entirely conceived and produced by a single undergraduate class. This focus allowed for a shared visual language across the collection, even as each student pursued individual creative explorations.
Among the standout pieces were Cerroni's 'Loop Lamp,' Davish's 'Phoji Room Divider,' Shorten's 'Nested Coffee Table,' and Sukhraj's 'Cloud Puzzle.' Each project demonstrated a unique approach to the common material. For instance, Davish ingeniously transformed waste shavings from the CNC router into translucent, veneer-like sheets, which she then stitched together to create the 'Fade Floor Lamp,' complete with a striking black-to-white gradient. Shorten's experiments with kerf-cut HDPE resulted in an expandable coffee table base that, after heat-forming, maintained sufficient flexibility to adapt to various tabletop sizes. These individual innovations highlighted the students' ability to not only understand but also master the material.
Professor Cross emphasized that the project's core lesson was about understanding materials deeply, rather than imposing preconceived notions. The goal was to prove that recycled materials could achieve a high level of luxury and craftsmanship. The success of the collection, she states, lies in the fact that the pieces are first and foremost aesthetically compelling and structurally thoughtful, with their sustainable origins serving as a beautiful, secondary discovery. This award not only validates the students' dedication and talent but also underscores LTU's commitment to fostering industry partnerships and providing hands-on learning experiences that prepare students to tackle complex design challenges with innovative, sustainable solutions.