Serviceplan Innovation and Japanese-German textile startup, Aizome, have launched a premium skincare product made from wastewater sourced from Aizome’s textile dyeing. The new product, Wastecare, solves two problems wastewater pollution and people’s relentless quest for premium skincare. More importantly, the campaign highlights Aizome’s dying process using natural plants that are safer for people.
Because Aizome only uses plants, water, and ultrasound instead of synthetic chemicals in their dyeing process, the wastewater, like the textiles, has natural health benefits, such as anti-inflammatory, pain-relief, and skin rejuvenation.
Aizome’s innovative dyeing process makes it different from the rest of the industry. While traditional plant-based dyeing has been around for millennia, without chemical finishing colour would fade quickly, making it unfeasible for mass production. Aizome Ultra uses ultrasound to bind plant molecules to the fibre, resulting in long-lasting colour and health benefits. There is a broad spectrum of medicinal plants that can provide a variety of properties for wellbeing: Indigo turns the yarn blue and makes the fabric anti-inflammatory, ideal for eczema-prone skin. Rubia produces a red pigment and helps alleviate menstrual pain. To create yellow, turmeric is used, which also acts as an antioxidant.
According to the United Nations, chemical usage for dyeing is the second major cause of water pollution. There are over 1500 synthetic chemicals, from formaldehyde to heavy metals, being used for dyeing and finishing textile products. They also severely affect the health of workers and wearers. In 79% of contact dermatitis cases, the reaction is triggered by these chemicals. Aizome’s wastewater has been tested and certified according to strict eco-toxicological and cosmetic safety standards.
Alex Schill, chief creative officer, Serviceplan Group commented, “Wastecare is one of our simplest product innovations yet. All it took to develop was a shift in perspective and good design; industrial waste, presented as high-end skincare. Demonstrating not only Aizome’s world-changing technology — but also the power of creative thinking.”
Serviceplan Innovation was responsible for the idea, strategy and execution of the new product’s design system in collaboration with New York design studio, Workbyworks Studio. It combines visual elements inspired by ultrasound and traditional Japanese culture. The package was conceived to create an intimate unboxing experience combining practicality with aesthetics and the cardboard layers reinforce the packaging so that it can be shipped without outer protection and recycled afterwards.
Han Gao, founder and designer, Workbyworks Studio commented, “Packaged as a high-end beauty product, bottled in a medical-grade vial and packed with fully recycled materials, Wastecare challenges the preconceptions around waste.”
The campaign was launched to coincide with World Earth Day on April 22, and the first edition of Wastecare was shipped out to key opinion leaders and potential collaborators in fashion, textile, and healthcare. The goal with the campaign is to reach designers, producers, and decision makers, and join forces to make the industry more sustainable.
A single limited-edition Wastecare will be available for purchase in the upcoming Aizome Indiegogo drop. Over the following months, Wastecare will also be presented at pop-up stores, trade fairs, and conferences, as proof and demonstration of the innovative Aizome Ultra technology.
