Unwasted: Whats new - Transforming Waste into Award-Winning Ceramics!

It’s been a while since I shared news about Unwasted, and I’m so excited to catch you up on everything that’s happened! This project has grown into a living work in circular design, transforming local wast - eggshells, straw ash, broken ceramics - into beautiful, functional ceramic materials. Every tile, object, and glaze carries its own story, celebrating craftsmanship, texture, and the beauty of imperfection.

Photo: The 65-100% waste glaze and clays samples , exhibited at Materials exhibited at Material District.

This year has been extraordinary.

Earlier this year, my work has received a Green Concept Award nomination, recognizing the innovative use of new material sources. Along the way, the project has been featured on MaterialDistrict, gaining international visibility alongside other inspiring leaders in circular design.

And now this summer: Unwasted won the Red Dot Design Award 2025 – Sustainable Design and is now shortlisted as a finalist for the Danish Design Award 2025, with the ceremony taking place in Copenhagen on November 21!

Photocredit: Peter Vinther. Winner of the Sustainable Design category in the international Reddot Design Award 2025.

Soon the tile installation will again exhibited!

Being selected for an special exhibition OPEN CALL . From October 2025 to April 2026 Unwasted will be showcased in the special exhibition Imagining the Future at The Royal Danish Academy, Meldahls Smedie in Copenhagen. (Mark your calendar - Opening Vernissage: October 30, 15:30–17:00!) I warmly invite you to experience these tactile materials in person and discover the stories they tell about circularity and environmental awareness. Both final results, my Unwasted book, as well as clay-and glaze tests will be exhibited - and some waste off course.

In the workshop, showing both cups made from waste as well as tiles. Interview with Gittemarie Johansen, Danish public speaker, author, and content creator, and a zero waste expert. See more here: Video

This year has also been incredible generous in sense of economic support and grants. Latest, with a new grant funding from the danish Fonden for Entreprenørskab, I will be able to acquire exciting equipment that allows deeper material research, buying equipment and collaborations with industry partners across Denmark.

On the horizon: I’ll be participating in a podcast conversation, sharing Unwasted’s story with a wider audience. This will be in english, and I will share it with all of you.

Some material research will also be featured in a prestigious international architectural and design library (more to share soon!).

Thank you for your continued support! You can sign up for our newsletter and follow my Instagram page  to see updates from the workshop and glimpses of finished works!

Stay tuned - this is only the beginning of Unwasted’s journey to redefine waste and sustainability through ceramics.

Photocredit: Peter Vinther. Close up on tiles made from waste.

Warmly,

Anna Maria Sand Jensen