Dr. Chaya Chandavasu, Executive Vice President, Sustainability, PTT Global Chemical Public Company Limited, or GC, said, "Environmental challenges concern us all. One of the fundamental principles of Sustainable Living is reducing the consumption of new resources and promoting their reuse. At GC, we employ Circular Economy principles to efficiently manage used plastics through the GC YOUTURN Platform, from the initial point of waste collection to their transformation into diverse products. The GC Upcycling Upstyling project was conceived to merge innovative design concepts with sustainability, transforming plastic waste into valuable, functional products that satisfy contemporary lifestyles."
In its fourth consecutive year, the GC Upcycling Upstyling project has consistently achieved remarkable success through the collaborative efforts of GC and various partners, who are part of the GC YOUTURN Partners initiative. Over the past three years, the project has received an overwhelmingly positive response. This year, GC has forged strategic collaborations with leading Thai fashion brands and visionary designers renowned for their expertise and creativity in sustainable, environmentally friendly designs. Together, they have embarked on a mission to enhance the value of recycled plastics. Under the guidance of Eco-Design, this partnership has yielded 15 impressive prototype collections, that have been meticulously crafted from the recycling of 992 discarded PET bottles, resulting in a reduction of over 17.4 kilograms of carbon dioxide equivalent greenhouse gas emissions. These prototypes will be further developed into fashion and lifestyle products, marking an expansion of GC's upcycling business by broadening its reach through enhanced marketing strategies and by expanding its distribution channels.
The 15 innovative prototype collections from two unique collaborations are:
GC Partners X Fashion Brands features eight collections
- Cafe Amazon x VICKTEERUT: Introducing the 'VICKTEERUT for Cafe Amazon' collection, featuring essential everyday items tailored to the urban lifestyle. This exclusive line includes tote bags, iPad bags, and card straps, all infused with Vickteerut's signature design aesthetic.
- Pataya Food Group x VICKTEERUT: Presenting a collection of children's sportswear, including shirts, pants, and caps, designed to prioritize practicality while embracing the vibrant spirit of childhood sports. These items will be donated to Wat Khlong Khru School in Samut Sakhon, ensuring that students have colorful attire for their sports activities.
- KBank x DISAYA: Introducing the 'Blooming' collection that showcases a fabric bag, a versatile card bag that can double as a coin pouch, a water bottle case with a convenient wrist strap, a stylish shoulder bag, a practical water bottle pouch, and a sleek card case. Each of these items features DISAYA's exquisite hand-painted daisy flower pattern, harmoniously blended with KBank's distinctive color scheme. This collaboration not only exemplifies the art of upcycling but also reflects the evolving perspectives of today's lifestyle.
- The Thai Red Cross Society x DISAYA: Introducing the 'Thank You Letter' collection, which showcases a range of stylish and practical items including pillow blankets, and umbrellas. These products not only combine fashion and function but also align with the principles of sustainability, beauty, and daily convenience. The collection draws inspiration from the idea of conveying messages of gratitude and best wishes.
- Siam Piwat x Leisure Projects: Introducing the 'Leisure ECO Holiday' collection, which features versatile pants and reversible hats. Leisure Projects' distinctive graphics seamlessly blend creative design with practical functionality.
- L'Occitane x Shaka: Presenting the 'Mademoiselle Dans Le Jardin' collection, which showcases a range of pants, hats, and bags adorned with Shaka's distinctive print design, and featuring Shea Butter, one of L'Occitane's primary product offerings.
- AIS x AKKARA BANGKOK: Introducing the 'Chokdee Kub Unchai' collection, a curated selection of everyday essentials designed for convenience, all crafted from upcycled fabric material derived exclusively from 100% post-consumer plastic bottles.
- SANSIRI x Fah Chak: Introducing the 'The Mirage' collection, which showcases an array of lounge chairs, plush pillows, and stylish pool umbrellas, all inspired by the timeless Georgian style. Discover it exclusively at the Setthasiri Donmuang Project.
UPTOYOU X Fashion Brands features seven collections
UPTOYOU, an eco-conscious fashion brand crafted from post-consumer plastic, has collaborated with seven celebrated Thai fashion designers to collectively create a fresh collection of products that embrace innovation and sustainable materials, notably Revife Fiber by GC UPCYCLING. This collaborative effort includes:
- TAKTAI: Introducing 'Craft it Well,' a product designed with the planet in mind. Crafted from recycled fibers, this unique offering embodies TAKTAI's commitment to sustainability. The brand's proprietary craftsmanship is evident in the intricate folding and knitting work adorning the shirt's hem.
- iCONiC: Introducing 'Eco with Friends' - a collection that showcases essential everyday items in vibrant colors, designed for portability. This collection embodies the idea that instilling a concept of 'love and care for the environment should begin in childhood.'
- PAINKILLER Atelier: Introducing 'Come Rain Come Shine,' a curated collection that highlights the remarkable qualities of waterproof umbrella fabric and durable canvas. This collection features a raincoat and cloth bag designed to complement independent living.
- Q DESIGN AND PLAY: Introducing 'Go Wild,' featuring a jacket adorned with a camouflage print that seamlessly blends with forest imagery. This streetwear piece effortlessly complements everyone's daily wardrobe and even transforms into a stylish bag when needed.
- TA.THA.TA: Introducing the 'Be Right Bag' collection - crafted from upcycled fabric made from recycled plastic bottles, perfect for everyday needs. Designed to seamlessly adapt to everyone's ever-changing lifestyle, these bags are not only eco-friendly but also a delight to use.
- Hamburger Studio: Introducing the 'Veganburger' collection - showcasing an extraordinary canvas bag. Born from a design concept aimed at transforming an ordinary fabric bag into an extraordinary canvas masterpiece, it offers both reusability and versatility for a wide range of occasions.
- Leisure Projects: Introducing the 'Leisure Projects x UPTOYOU' collection, inspired by the new generation's preference for simplicity combined with unique details and shapes. These pieces are designed to be versatile and can be effortlessly mixed and matched with a range of other items.
In addition, event attendees had the opportunity to cast their votes for the Popular Vote Awards, which recognizes the prototypes that received the highest acclaim from participants in terms of creativity, aesthetics, and practicality. The Popular Vote Award for the GC Partners X Fashion Brands category was presented to Pataya Food Group x VICKTEERUT, while the UPTOYOU X Fashion Brands award went to TA.THA.TA.
GC strives to foster collaboration in the management of post-consumer plastics via the GC Upcycling Upstyling initiative, where design and sustainability converge creating a fashionable lifestyle that is within reach for all. The aim is to ignite creativity, infusing added value into post-consumer plastics, thereby opening doors to sustainable business growth, and encouraging lifestyles that contribute to a better world. Furthermore, GC aspires to serve as an inspiration for other organizations to actively collaborate in this project, fostering a stronger ecosystem for both the business sector and Thai society.
The latest UPTOYOU collection is now available at the GC Circular Living Shop. For additional information or to place an online order, please visit UPTOYOU.
Source: ABM