I need this sofa 100% made from recycled phone cases

How many phone cases do you have stored at home in that one desk drawer that you never open? If you’re anything like me, an outrageous amount of money — but that’s okay because CASETiFY And Eva are working on it: they just collaborated to create a one-off bank made up of 16,000 phone cases.

Yes, 16,000 phone cases. Otherwise they would all have ended up in the landfill. And then there are the more than 430,000 phone cases that Re/CASETiFY’s recycling program has already diverted from landfill – the equivalent weight of a literal humpback whale. That’s a lot of phone cases.

I feel a little stupid for never really thinking about the impact of phone cases on the environment. Normally I’m too busy thinking about two things: whether a case will keep my phone from shattering into a million pieces (again) and whether the case looks nice. (Both things that CASETiFY also achieves, by the way.) But now the phone case bank, affectionately called Re/Treat, has got me thinking about how much more conscious we need to be about the waste we create. And most importantly, how there are so many creative ways to keep our junk from ending up in the landfill.

CASETiFY has saved thousands of phone cases from going to landfill (image provided).

Even though it’s a one-off (devastating news for me personally; I want one!), the Re/Treat bench is a smart way to share the power of sustainable furniture — the chicest of all interior design choices. My favorite part of moving was being able to fill my apartment with eco-conscious furniture. Whether it’s buying unique vintage, second-hand pieces from someone’s garage sale or sustainably made furniture from companies like Eva.

To help bring the Re/Treat bank to life, CASETiFY came knocking Doctor Anita Vandyke. Dr. Anita is an aerospace engineer – yes, a real rocket scientist – a zero waste expert and an advocate for sustainability. (In other words, put her on the $5 bill!) I spoke with Dr. Anita to learn more about the Re/Treat and to bless us with her wisdom on how each of us can live more sustainably.

Ky Stewart, Junke: Tell us about the collaboration between CASETiFY and Eva to create a sustainable sofa made from recycled phone cases?

Doctor Anita Vandyke: The CASETiFY collaboration with Eva is incredibly important because it brings to life (the idea) that creativity and sustainability can go hand in hand. Diverting materials that would otherwise have been sent to the landfill shows how you can repurpose unexpected materials and turn them into something new, like furniture!

I love the way CASETiFY collaborates with artists and designers around the world to inspire us to be more creative with our sustainable efforts.

How much waste do phone cases actually contribute?

Thanks to the Re/CASETiFY program and their global recycling efforts, over 84,000 kg of plastic has been diverted from landfills and given a new lease of life through upcycling and repurposing into new accessories and even furniture.

What was it like to be the campaign’s Zero Waste Expert?

It was a great way to show people that zero-waste living can be stylish and creative. It allows people to think outside the box and know that companies can make new products from old waste and that these initiatives have a real impact on the planet.

The CASETiFY Impact Report 2024 confirmed that it helped plant 463,406 trees back into nature. That translates to an equivalent of 22,243,488 pounds of carbon emissions removed from the atmosphere.

CASETiFY works with artists and designers around the world to create works of art such as Andy Singleton’s fish sculpture made from recycled phone cases (image provided).

How does your career as a rocket scientist inspire your passion for zero waste?

Being an aerospace engineer (rocket scientist) has helped me understand materials engineering and the importance of good design. This has translated into my sustainability efforts to be able to design and create zero waste switches for everyday life.

How can people become more aware of the waste they contribute/produce?

Do a trash can audit! Go home and audit all the waste you send straight to the landfill and assess how you can make changes by making changes to your shopping or your lifestyle.

Most people think of waste in terms of clothing or food, but how can we be more aware of minimizing waste in our furniture?

First of all, buy the best you can afford and choose quality over quantity. Buy items that can stand the test of time, rather than poorly made furniture that will inevitably be sent to the landfill within a few months or years. Second, consider the material of the product. You can buy items second hand, or items that have been upcycled, reused or recycled to reduce your carbon footprint.

What are some simple tips/ways we can better improve our lifestyle and be more sustainable?

First, vote with your dollar and support companies and brands that are trying to be more sustainable through innovative design or recycled materials. Second, embrace small changes. Whether it’s bringing your own water bottle, choosing packaging-free foods or purchasing items made from recycled materials, all these small changes can make a big cumulative difference.

How can brands make sustainability cool?

Brands can make it accessible, creative and fun! Sustainability is sexy!

Why is it important to have innovative ideas, like the recycled phone case sofa, when it comes to sustainability?

Through the Re/CASETiFY program, giving a second life through upcycling and repurposing into new accessories is a creative and fun way to show how companies can combine sustainability with creativity. By keeping these items out of the landfill, companies can reduce their overall carbon footprint and lead the way in design and environmental consciousness

You can now try out Re/Treat for yourself at CASETiFY’s STUDiO in the Sydney Arcade Shop. Learn more about Re/CASETiFY here.

Image: supplied