Guy Lougashi weaves together baskets and people with recycled paper

Lougashi guy lamp

We’ve heard of environmentally conscious Israeli designers doing some pretty crazy stuff with paper. Green Lullaby makes EcoCradles out of cardboard paper, Amit Brilliant turns used paper wrappers into wallets, and Erez Mulai transforms wasted paper into wastepaper baskets.

While we think these designers are great and love their work, none of them has reinvented existing paper materials using a traditional art or design method. Which is something self-taught Israeli designer Guy Lougashi knows a little about.

The baskets that he and his workers weave by hand at a Jewish-Arab factory in Baqa Al Garabia are created by using traditional basket weaving techniques, but with a twist.

They weave together paper instead of straw.

But that’s not all they do. The factory, which is part of the Shekulo Tov initiative (like repurposed fabric designer Zohar Yarom and wastepaper basket creator Erez Mulai), weaves together wasted materials as it weaves together differing populations.

The baskets are each one of a kind since they’re entirely handmade (and thus have a low carbon footprint), and each basket has a slightly different size and shape.

To ensure the durability of the baskets, Lougashi dips the strips of paper in glue before weaving them and after the glue has dried he coats them with a lacquer to strengthen them even more.

Read more to find out about studios and workshops where you can reuse your garbage
Reuse It or Lose It: Black, White, and Read All Over
One Industry’s Junk Is a Child’s Treasure: Recycling Workshops at the Israel Museum
Hiria: A Garbage Dump Turned Recycling Dream

Karen Chernick
Karen Chernickhttps://www.greenprophet.com/
Much to the disappointment of her Moroccan grandmother, Karen became a vegetarian at the age of seven because of a heartfelt respect for other forms of life. She also began her journey to understand her surroundings and her impact on the environment. She even starting an elementary school Ecology Club and an environmental newsletter in the 3rd grade. (The proceeds of the newsletter went to non-profit environmental organizations, of course.) She now studies in New York. Karen can be reached at karen (at) greenprophet (dot) com.
4 COMMENTS

Comments are closed.

Hot this week

Why Health Systems Are Reaching a Turning Point

Health emerges from a continuous energy and material flow from water through food to human physiology. Technical energy systems support this cycle through water treatment, agriculture, and infrastructure.

Sustainability That Sells: How Profit and Purpose Come Together in the Hive

Whether you are a commercial grower, hobbyist beekeeper or retail equipment supplier, this system opens a new income stream with minimal environmental impact.

The Fitness App Revolution: Building the Future of Wellness Through Strategic Development

In an era where smartphones are ubiquitous and health consciousness is at an all-time high, the fitness industry has undergone a radical digital transformation. Fitness applications have moved far beyond simple pedometers, evolving into comprehensive wellness platforms that serve as personal trainers, nutritionists, and community hubs right in our pockets.

A Brief History of Basil From India to Italy

Beloved, fortunate, sweet, and royal; an herb with a long and storied history in Asia and across the world. Called by many names, basil has featured in previous Green Prophet articles, so enjoy another serving, a brief history of basil.

How Renewable Energy is Revolutionizing the Way We Power Our World

Solar has become the star of the transition thanks to modular hardware and straightforward installation. It fits dense cities and remote towns alike. Many companies are turning to rooftop arrays and carport systems - and exploring commercial solar installation as a practical way to lock in future savings.

Topics

Why Health Systems Are Reaching a Turning Point

Health emerges from a continuous energy and material flow from water through food to human physiology. Technical energy systems support this cycle through water treatment, agriculture, and infrastructure.

Sustainability That Sells: How Profit and Purpose Come Together in the Hive

Whether you are a commercial grower, hobbyist beekeeper or retail equipment supplier, this system opens a new income stream with minimal environmental impact.

The Fitness App Revolution: Building the Future of Wellness Through Strategic Development

In an era where smartphones are ubiquitous and health consciousness is at an all-time high, the fitness industry has undergone a radical digital transformation. Fitness applications have moved far beyond simple pedometers, evolving into comprehensive wellness platforms that serve as personal trainers, nutritionists, and community hubs right in our pockets.

A Brief History of Basil From India to Italy

Beloved, fortunate, sweet, and royal; an herb with a long and storied history in Asia and across the world. Called by many names, basil has featured in previous Green Prophet articles, so enjoy another serving, a brief history of basil.

How Renewable Energy is Revolutionizing the Way We Power Our World

Solar has become the star of the transition thanks to modular hardware and straightforward installation. It fits dense cities and remote towns alike. Many companies are turning to rooftop arrays and carport systems - and exploring commercial solar installation as a practical way to lock in future savings.

How does one start prepping?

Faced with an extreme winter storm this year, Americans wonder how to be prepared for catastrophe. Miriam has lived through wars in the Middle East - so she's prepared on giving you a guide to prepping.

Fishermen sue tire manufacturers on behalf of the salmon

A federal trial in San Francisco has brought US tire manufacturers, fishing groups, and environmental scientists into court over a chemical most drivers have never heard of — but which scientists say may be silently reshaping aquatic ecosystems.

Listening to Water: Tarek Atoui’s Next Work for Tate Modern

Born in Beirut, Lebanon in 1980 and now living in Paris, Atoui has spent years building instruments that don’t sit comfortably in concert halls. Many of them involve water, glass, and ceramics — materials that react to sound instead of simply producing it.

Related Articles

Popular Categories