Waste Studio

Packaging

There is no evidence of single-use plastic packaging or excessive packing; the ethos of the company implies avoiding any unnecessary new material. WASTE Studio’s packaging approach appears minimalist and eco-friendly, consistent with its waste-reduction mission. Products are often sold with little more than a recycled paper tag or wrapping.

Material Sustainability

Virtually all main materials are post-consumer or post-industrial waste: vinyl billboard flex, retired seat-belts, scrap boat cover canvas (acrylic), used tire inner tubes, etc. By upcycling these otherwise non-recyclable materials, the brand dramatically lowers its demand for virgin resources (no new plastic or fabric is produced for their goods) and simultaneously diverts waste from landfills.

Every product is unique and handmade from reclaimed pieces, meaning nearly 100% of material inputs are recycled/upcycled (aside from minor components like thread or zippers).

 Energy & Carbon Footprint

WASTE Studio provides little to no public information on its energy use or carbon footprint. The company operates on a small scale (a single workshop in Beirut) and produces locally, which inherently keeps its transportation footprint lower than a globalized supply chain. 

We can say that WASTE Studio’s local sourcing and upcycling inherently save some emissions (e.g. avoiding the CO₂ that would be emitted if new plastics were manufactured) 

Waste Management

The brand effectively exists to mitigate waste. Its entire business model is a form of creative waste management: taking materials commonly viewed as garbage and crafting them into useful, long-lived products. This approach addresses waste upstream (input materials) and downstream (product end-of-life) simultaneously. On the manufacturing side, WASTE Studio has implemented a largely zero-waste production process: they source discarded materials as feedstock, use them as fully as possible in designs, and even incorporate smaller off-cuts. 

Business Model 

The company offers “urban and timeless” designs meant to last, not disposable trend-driven items. All products are handmade in limited quantities, and the materials (thick vinyl, heavy-duty straps, etc.) result in items that withstand rugged daily use. This focus on longevity and quality means customers can use a WASTE Studio bag or beanbag for years, reducing the frequency of repurchase.

The brand also keeps its product line relatively curated, introducing new designs thoughtfully rather than in constant weekly cycles. 

It stops short of Tier 5 only because the model is still retail-based (for example, they haven’t adopted radical models like product leasing, repair-as-a-service, or fully bespoke make-to-order production that eliminates all excess inventory). 

While WASTE Studio’s use of reclaimed materials is environmentally commendable, the inherent chemical safety of those materials is a concern. Many of the inputs are plastics and synthetics known to contain toxic substances. For example, the advertising banners are typically made of PVC (polyvinyl chloride) flex. PVC is a plastic that often relies on phthalate plasticizers and heavy metal stabilizers, chemicals which are associated with human health hazards and environmental toxicity. Similarly, repurposed tire inner tubes (rubber) can contain residues of PAHs (polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons) and other additives from their previous life. Automobile seatbelts may be treated with chemical flame retardants or other finishes required by auto safety regulations.

On the plus side, using these in bags and accessories means direct consumer exposure is limited (these are external-use products, not something like skincare or clothing worn against bare skin). WASTE Studio also cleans the materials with vinegar, avoiding adding any new harmful chemicals in processing.

Fair Labor

The company was co-founded by designers and an environmental consultant, and production is done in-house at their Beirut studio. 

The brand’s communications emphasize values of responsibility and community, suggesting an intent to treat workers ethically (“We believe that we should be responsible in our attitude and our actions”) The small scale means WASTE Studio can directly ensure no discrimination or major safety issues in the workspace.

While WASTE Studio does not publish a formal code of conduct or supply chain labor report, the risk of poor labor practices is low.

Animal Welfare

WASTE Studio is effectively a 100% cruelty-free and vegan brand. It uses no animal-derived materials in its products – no leather, fur, wool, silk, or animal-based glues. Instead, the brand’s materials are reclaimed synthetics and rubber (which involve no animal inputs)

Consequently, no animals are harmed or used at any stage of the production. The brand also does not sell anything that would require animal testing (they’re not in cosmetics, and in any case they do not use new chemicals).

Community Engagement 

WASTE Studio demonstrates a meaningful commitment to community engagement and social impact. The brand’s very genesis addresses a local environmental crisis (Lebanon’s waste problem) by raising public awareness that trash can be transformed into useful goods.

WASTE Studio partnered with the nonprofit farmer’s market Souk el Tayeb to upcycle old materials into new table covers for the market’s use – an initiative aimed at reducing waste in the community and supporting local culture. 

Moreover, WASTE Studio has indicated via its social channels that it donates a portion of all profits to help those in need