Treasures of Wasteland


With her business background and interest in design and the environment, she wanted to do something about this. She found a partner with design experience who shared her goal of proving that recycled goods are not ugly and that this message can be conveyed in a nice and positive way to the public. Four years later, they have twelve designers working on items for the store and available at other outlets around town and Europe as well. She said that getting good quality materials on a regular basis was the hardest part. Now she has a network of suppliers in Germany and Austria. She says that it is all part of the Finnish ethos. As a place that has few large urban centres, the Nordic countries have a tradition of respect for nature, with the birch forests and many lakes and rugged environment. They have always recycled and made the most of their natural resources. Whilst Germany is the leader for household recycling, the Finns have a strong commitment. There are university courses now on design and recycling. As Nina Partanen says "There is lots in the air". :: SECCO