More and more these days, designers think about re-using or recycling materials in their work. Brooklyn-based designer Matt Gagnon, who used to work for architect Frank Gehry, takes that inclination a few steps further by designing for zero waste. (Zero waste describes the situation in which products are conceived, produced, packaged, distributed and retired with their long-term environmental impacts in mind.)

Gagnon’s gorgeous Paper Tables are made from recycled paper with oil finish and have been designed so that both the piece and the mold (the negative and the positive) are functional pieces of furniture. Brilliant!

They remind me a bit of the work of British sculptor Rachel Whiteread:

[Rachel Whiteread, Untitled (Stacks), 1999, plaster, polystyrene and steel. Anthony d'Offay Gallery.]

But this is about more than aesthetics; we’re seeing zero waste design in everything from furniture to cars to footwear. Companies as diverse as Nike (which is even using fabric woven from soda bottles), Subaru and Xerox are exploring ways to produce goods in ways that help avoid populating landfill.

Editor's note: Recyclable carpet is another option that is not only manufactured using recycled materials, it can be recycled to make new carpet again and again. Therefore the useful life of recyclable carpet goes beyond its time in your home and doesn't end up in a landfill. Ask your local Floor Coverings International Design Associate about the wide range of colors, textures, and styles available.