Where does trash go when we throw it away? The Bali-based, sustainable-focused creative platform Space Available and Berlin-based, South Korean DJ-slash-designer Peggy Gou want to remind us all that there is no such thing as “away” when it comes to our waste. “Sadly, when we throw away our trash, the vast majority ends up in landfills and the ocean. Of the 8.3 billion tons of virgin plastic produced worldwide, only 8% has been recycled,” Space Available notes about the release. 

The two have come together to raise awareness on our global “throw away” culture with the upcoming release of a special chair, dubbed “The Peggy Chair,” made from 20kg of waste plastic – a project that’s part of Space Available’s circular design exploration called “Radical Plastics.” 

The chair, which is an edition of 20, is handcrafted by Indonesian artisans through a process of shredding collected and cleaned plastic waste from the ocean and landfills through a grinder and baking the plastic shreds in a mold to create sheets. These sheets are then used to construct the chair and record storage at the base, with the offcuts utilized as welding rods for assembling. No glue, nails, or screws are used throughout the chair – a true zero waste design. 

The chair itself can also be recycled again, helping give a sense of clarity of where “away” will be after the intended use of The Peggy Chair. Space Available is planning on releasing content and facilitating a RE3 workshop breaking down the full design and recycling process later this month. 

In addition, The Peggy Chair is accompanied by a T-shirt design made from waste material sourced from various factory cut-offs.

Gou is no stranger to exploration. From music to fashion and design, the artist has broadened her creative output to truly grow what DJ publication Mixmag deems as “Gou-mania” globally. “When I was a student at the London College of Fashion, I wanted to be a designer, then a photographer, and then I was interested in styling. So, I changed my mind a lot over time, but the thing that stayed with me through all of this was music. I went out a lot and always knew which DJs were playing where,” the multi-hyphenate creative told Vogue UK earlier this year.

“Due to my fashion background, I felt I was being taken less seriously. Or maybe I just told myself that — like a self-fulfilling prophecy. But at some point, I thought to myself: ‘I love clothes and shoes and I don’t want to hide that.’ I wanted to be me.” 

The Peggy Chair by Space Available is another great way to show us all how much of a force she is, as well as how much of a force she can be in helping with critical issues such as the ever-growing plastic crisis.

“I have been admiring their work to make our planet better, and it was exciting to create something beautiful and meaningful,” Gou said in an Instagram post about the new chair. “Remember, we are all part of the problem but can also be part of the solution.”

Earlier this month, the sustainable design specialists at Space Available released a separate “Radical Plastics” collection with professional skateboarder Alex Olson, made up of a water bottle holder set and sun hat, each handwoven using materials developed from recycled ocean plastic waste. 

Similar to the Olson collaboration, 20% of the profits from Gou’s “The Peggy Chair” collection will go towards Space Available’s official partners at the Sumatra Orangutan Society. Here, they support efforts against deforestation and destruction of wildlife – a priority for the company alongside tackling plastic waste. 

The Peggy Gou x Space Available “The Peggy Chair” collection will be available for pre-order starting on June 28 exclusively through Mr. Porter, while Bali residents can purchase directly with Space Available.