Markos Georgiou

Design Products (MA)

Final project: The first bioreactor for designing and growing products with bacteria in 3D. "This project is currently undergoing the intellectual property (IP) process, and as such, detailed information cannot be disclosed at this time. For additional information or inquiries regarding the project, please contact Markos directly."

ReFramed is an innovative venture that seeks to revolutionise the handling of cigarette waste by repurposing discarded cigarette butts into valuable cellulose acetate. By collecting and processing cigarette butts, which are notoriously difficult to recycle due to their small size and toxic components, ReFramed aims to mitigate the environmental impact of this while simultaneously creating a sustainable source of raw material for product design and manufacturing. Cigarette butts are the most littered item globally, contributing significantly to plastic pollution and posing hazards to wildlife and ecosystems. Moreover, cigarette filters contain harmful chemicals and heavy metals and toxins that can leach into the environment, further exacerbating ecological damage. By repurposing this waste stream into valuable cellulose acetate, ReFramed not only reduces the amount of plastic waste in the environment but also mitigates the release of toxins. Furthermore, this material serves as a foundation for sustainable products and systems, offering an alternative route toward achieving a circular economy. ReFramed employs an intricate process to recover the cellulose acetate from the butts. Firstly, the cigarette waste undergoes a thorough cleaning process to remove contaminants and toxic chemicals. To achieve this, natural byproduct chemicals from the fermentation industry and bioremediation techniques are utilised. This innovative approach not only ensures the purity of the material but also aligns with sustainability goals by utilising low-cost and eco-friendly cleaning methods. Maintaining the integrity of the waste material through effective cleaning is crucial, as it preserves the environmental benefits of recycling while avoiding the negation of positive efforts through inadequate processing.

Material Exploration of Cigarette Butt Cellulose Acetate

About

Markos Georgiou (b. 1996) is a multifaceted product designer, maker, and material researcher from Cyprus. With a strong focus on innovative and sustainable design, Markos employs a multidisciplinary approach to address complex challenges, reimagining how we live, interact, produce, and consume. He aims to develop intelligent solutions that cater to the current, imminent, and distant future.

Markos takes a holistic approach in his design process, consistently questioning conventional norms and exploring the potential of new ideas. His extensive portfolio includes products, systems, technologies, processes, and materials—all designed with a keen awareness of both current necessities and future possibilities. Viewing the world as an intricately connected system, Markos tackles each project with an interdisciplinary approach, ensuring comprehensive and impactful design solutions. This commitment to integrating diverse perspectives is central to his professional ethos, underpinning his ongoing contribution to the evolution of design.

With a rich history of collaboration, Markos has partnered with various design studios, companies, and institutions, including the United Nations, to develop innovative products and solutions. His academic contributions include teaching at universities and leading workshops on sustainability and design strategy, along with offering his expertise as a consultant in sustainability. His achievements in design have been recognised with multiple awards, and his projects have been showcased in leading international venues such as Milan, London, Eindhoven, and Munich. His influential work has also been extensively highlighted in the media.

Markos Georgiou studied BSc Product Design and Technology at the University of Brighton before advancing his studies at EINA School of Art and Design in Barcelona. He further refined his skills and deepened his design philosophy here at the Royal College of Art, where he earned his MA in Design Products.

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