Coming in 2021: The Garbage Watch

Vollebak is a design team founded by brothers Nick and Steve Tidball. Their goal as designers is to focus on using science and technology to create futuristic clothing. This manifests itself in some surprising and unusual ways. A t-shirt made from ceramic, for example. And a hoodie that takes 40 weeks to make and is windproof, waterproof, and fireproof. Their latest project, just announced, is a watch that, while not available to purchase yet, might be of interest to some readers. 

Introducing the Garbage Watch, which, I have to say, is a name after my own heart. Judging by the manufacturing and workmanship of their other products, I think it’s a pretty safe bet that this won’t actually be a garbage watch, rather, a watch made from what many would consider “garbage.” The idea here is to use electronic waste and the precious materials associated with it (think copper, platinum, silver, and nickel used to make microchips, wiring, and so forth) to make a watch, thereby showing that the the “garbage” that is so easily discarded when we upgrade devices on an annual basis is not garbage at all. 

Obviously, this type of electronics recycling is not a new idea. But the Garbage Watch, at least on the surface, is pretty unique, and it will be interesting to say the least how Vollebak, who has made a name for themselves making “clothes from the future,” moves forward with this project. 

The Garbage Watch is expected in 2021, and you can sign up for notification on the project here.