Tea leaves and coffee grounds transformed into 3D printed design objects
London's waste tea leaves and coffee grounds become sustainable design material through innovative process.
1From waste to design material
The After the Last Sip project transforms used tea leaves collected from London's bubble tea shops and spent coffee grounds from local cafés. These residues are dried, ground and compounded with PLA to create a new composite material. Material tests examine how variations in particle size, composition and blending affect color, texture and structural behavior. The resulting material offers an alternative approach to traditional waste management, demonstrating the potential of everyday waste in high-end design applications.
2Parametric design approach
Chao-Chun Kung's CHA/茶 work uses a custom parametric system derived from the Chinese character 茶 (tea). This system combines Taiwan's tea-drinking tradition as material, cultural reference and design tool. Kung's large-scale 3D printed lighting object Iced Tea showcases the material's translucency and textural qualities. The visible print layers and irregular textures intentionally preserve traces of the manufacturing process, celebrating the material's origin and transformation journey.
3Coastal-inspired surfaces
Ching-Yu Lin's Undetermined Shore creates layered surfaces using coffee ground composites, inspired by Taiwan's shifting coastline. These sediment-like textures mimic natural erosion patterns while demonstrating the material's structural capabilities. Lin's approach investigates how industrial waste can emulate natural forms, blurring boundaries between artificial and organic. The work reveals both the aesthetic potential and technical challenges of working with unconventional materials.
4Exploring continuous geometries
Chen-Yang Chang's Nexus Bloom and Unfolding Bloom works investigate continuous parametric geometries through digital design and 3D printing. Created using tea waste composites, these pieces merge organic forms with technological production. Chang's methodology pushes the material's structural limits while developing a distinctive visual language. The works demonstrate how computational design can optimize material usage and create complex forms unachievable through traditional methods.
5Transparency in making
The exhibition presents not only finished works but also material samples and traces of the fabrication process. Visitors can observe the project's testing phases, failures and discoveries. This transparent approach emphasizes design as a research process rather than just final product. The intentional preservation of print layers and irregular textures makes the manufacturing journey visible, inviting viewers to appreciate both the objects and their creation story.
6Robotic 3D printing technology
Large-scale robotic 3D printing at Fab.Pub transforms experimental composites into furniture, lighting and sculptural objects. This technology enables precise production of complex geometries while minimizing material waste. Unlike conventional manufacturing, robotic printing optimizes material usage through computational design. The project demonstrates how sustainable production techniques can be implemented in design practice, offering a model for future material innovation in the industry.
7Cultural and material dialogue
The project bridges Taiwanese designers' cultural backgrounds with London's daily waste streams. Chao-Chun Kung's work reflects Taiwan's tea culture while Ching-Yu Lin's piece draws from the island's geographical features. These cultural references enrich the transformation of local waste into a global design language. The exhibition shows how material research can facilitate cross-cultural exchange, creating meaningful connections between different traditions through shared sustainability challenges.
8Future of sustainable design
After the Last Sip proves food waste can be transformed into high-quality design materials. Exhibited during London Design Festival, the works showcase the potential of sustainable material research in the design industry. By embracing circular economy principles, the project builds new bridges between waste management and materials science. This approach promises exciting possibilities for the future of industrial design, where sustainability and innovation go hand in hand.