Eco-Dilemmas
Welcome to Eco-Dilemmas, our blog series where we explore the challenges we face at Upstream Trophies as we strive to create sustainable, high-quality awards. From designing our trophies to tackling broader issues like sourcing materials, packaging and transportation, every decision impacts the balance between sustainability, design and cost.
The recycling dilemma
At Upstream Trophies, we aim to renew the market of trophies by offering truly sustainable and unique solutions. But, as we work towards creating the most sustainable products, we have a dilemma. Most of our trophies are made from recycled plastics, but this doesn’t automatically mean they are recyclable. In this blog, we’ll explain the challenges we face and the steps we’re taking to address them.
Different plastic kinds combined can’t be recycled
We primarily source our sustainable materials from recycled resources, particularly locally sourced recycled plastic. These plastics we work with have a low CO2 footprint. They feature stunning textures that resemble marble or granito. This allows us to craft the perfect trophy for our clients. We mainly use mono-material plastics (e.g., PP, PE, or PET), single plastic types. But as soon as we start combining different parts in our trophies, things change. When we want a transparent surface or aim to create contrast, the different parts are often made from various types of plastic. This complicates recycling, as most recycling processes are designed for mono-materials. Plastics that can’t be recycled are typically incinerated for energy recovery or end up in landfills. Using a single type of plastic would certainly make recycling easier, but it would also very much limit the creative potential of our designs. Especially recycled plastics do not come in every color and effect. And even if our trophies were made from a single type of plastic, they’d still face challenges in recycling. Household plastic recycling mainly targets thin-walled packaging, not the thicker materials we use. Recycling thicker materials requires specialized facilities or programs.
Does sustainability kill creativity?
Certainly not, but it does require a different method of designing a product, extensive material expertise and even recycling expertise. Exactly the kind of things we have in-house at Upstream Trophies. Our trophies are not only made from recycled materials. They are also visually striking and innovative. They celebrate a diverse range of styles and aesthetics. We recognize the benefit of creating trophies that are easier to recycle. That’s why we commit to balancing sustainability with design.
Return program
To tackle this challenge, we’ve set up a return program where customers can send back their trophies for recycling or reuse. Although, let’s be honest, who’d ever want to return one of our trophies? Still, we’re not picky, we’ll even take back trophies from other companies if we can give them a second life. We’re always exploring new materials, fixtures, and processes that make recycling or refurbishing easier. That’s why we prefer using screws over glue, ensuring our trophies can be easily taken apart and refurbished within our return program.
While effective, the program has its challenges. For example, individual returns increase transportation emissions, adding to our carbon footprint. Also, the costs of running our return program can be a challenge. Collecting, shipping, and recycling returned trophies need a lot of resources. Yet, we know this is a necessary step in our commitment to a circular economy. We’re always looking for ways to make this program more affordable for both our business and our customers. So if you have any ideas on this, let us know!
From waste to glory
We are Upstream Trophies and we create unique, high end and sustainable awards that deserve to be seen. Our belief is that every piece of waste can be reborn into an extraordinary statement piece that adds a touch of glory to any office or home. Our motto? Form follows material. Specializing in plastics and utilizing diverse waste streams, our material-first approach is an ode to modern craftsmanship. From material passports and transport with minimal carbon footprint to locally scouted and recycled materials: we set the standard in sustainability and proof is in every trophy.
Casper van der Meer
CEO Upstream Trophies
About the author
Casper is the CEO of Upstream Trophies and has a background in Industrial Design Engineering. Over the years he specialized in sustainable product design, with a special interest in plastic products. He believes that the corporate trophy market is long over due for change. Creating awards that spark conversations, tell a story and create sustainability ambassadors. The industry needs this shift. Trophies should reflect the future, not repeat the past.
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