Waste is energy. No doubt about that, with these esthetically satisfying new designs for self-sufficient home appliances developed by Philips Design. Or should I say furniture? One of the concepts, the Methane Bio-Digester Kitchen Island, is able to break down organic waste to obtain energy. From the integrated chopping board, organic waste such as peels and seeds can are grinded and collected in a tank that contains bacterial cultures. The energy generated from organic waste comes in form of bio-gas, which can be used to cook.

Even plastic waste can be broken down by fungus mixed with soil. From there, an exchange of the series of design appliances called Microbial Home filter, process, recycle waste products, which eventually forms a cycle.

“Designers have an obligation to understand the urgency of the situation, and translate humanity’s needs into solutions. Energy-saving light bulbs will only take us so far. We need to push ourselves to rethink domestic appliances entirely, to rethink how homes consume energy, and how entire communities can pool resources.”

Click here for more photos of the designs.

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