Come with me as I wrestle one of Aotearoa’s most dangerous predators—discarded plastic waste—into our world-class healing facilities at the Critical. Zoo. You won't believe the transformation. 😅
But in all seriousness, here’s the thing: designers and architects often ask if sustainable materials like Cleanstone can match the durability of traditional ones. So, let’s break it down:
💪 Strength? Cleanstone is solid all the way through, no layers to peel, no swelling, and no chipping. Just 100% recycled plastics fused into a high-performance panel.
💧 Waterproof? 100%; Unlike MDF or laminate, Cleanstone won’t absorb moisture, meaning no mold, no warping—just long-lasting durability.
🔨 Impact-resistant? Try smashing it with a hammer. Go on, we dare you. It’ll take the hit and still look 🔥.
♻️ Circular? Absolutely. At the end of its life, we buy it back and turn it into brand-new Cleanstone panels—again and again.
I used to be an architect and I get that it's important to balance sustainability with budget. The thing sustainable materials like Cleanstone today are actually price competitive with current products like pre-finish wood and even more affordable than engineered stone.
But here's another consideration. When we make budget decisions, we often don't take into account the 'total cost of ownership'. Yes you can get a cheap material right now, but over time as the material degrade and breaks the hidden costs stack up like repairs, renewals and landfilling. When I'm renovating, my rule is buy it once so that it lasts a lifetime.
So, if you’re designing retail, hospitality, or commercial fit-outs and wondering if sustainability means sacrificing durability… I'd love to jump on a call together are share with you some research. You can book a time with me here: https://calendar.app.google/ke31dfbeh8Dza95Y8
Tune in to Plastic Hunter Episode 4 as we make preparations to release Cleanstone into the wild and back to it's natural habitat.
And don't forget to follow me and visit criticaldesign.nz for more wildlife education 😂
💬 Designers : Do you find yourself justifying long-term value to clients who focus on upfront costs? What strategies have helped you shift the conversation from short-term savings to total cost of ownership? Let’s talk. 👇
#SustainableDesign #CircularEconomy #RecycledMaterials #PlasticsHunter #EcoInnovation #GreenBuilding #InteriorDesign #DesignForChange #CriticalCleanstone #FutureOfDesign #ZeroWasteSolutions #ArchitecturalCraftsmanship