A new generation of small-scale makers are becoming informed and influenced by concepts of a sustainable economy.

Contemporary designers and makers are, more and more, acknowledging the harmful practices of many manufacturing industries. These have persisted through decades and centuries, and might range from the exploitation of energy, materials and labour, to the environmental damage from waste by-products and single-use products.

The Seoul Upcycling Plaza is a government funded initiative, located on Seoul’s waste management facilities.

The SUP mission is to advocate for recycling or upcycling — essentially to educate the consumers. SUP hosts programs, school field trips and experiential workshops. They also offer small manufacturing workspaces to support start-ups and encourage creative ways to re-use materials which are unwanted or that might have gone to landfill.

In many different parts of the world, today’s small-scale designers, makers and suppliers are very conscious materials are not to be seen or used as unlimited resources.