Japanese knotweed

Japanese Knotweed Project

The reynoutria japonica plant or Japanese Knotweed, is considered the worst weed in Europe and has caused serious damage to the natural and built environment.

In the UK it is classed as an invasive species due to its ability to spread easily creating a hostile environment. It is considered a controlled waste, so after its removal, it must be taken to a licensed landfill for disposal. The plant is widely spread in the UK and it is estimated to cost the economy £166 million per year.

This project aims to reduce the negative impact of this species by using design as a tool to turn something negative into positive. The Japanese Knotweed project reverses the concept of waste by treating the plant as a valuable source of raw material. Through an investigative process of its parts and reuse of its disposal, the plant proved to be a precious local raw material for a range of industries.

By adding value to this abundant source of raw material located in 45 countries, connected and circular production systems can emerge, reframing attitudes surrounding this species as well as promoting more resilient and self-sufficient production models and cities.

Making process

Each part of the plant (peduncle, stem, leaf, rhizome) was explored individually and different making processes were used to discover what material qualities could be used from the plant. After its deconstruction, all residues and leftovers were repurposed into another making process creating a circular and zero-waste production system. In this way, through an investigative process, the plant proved to be an invaluable local source of raw material for a range of industries such as textile, fashion, product, built environment, paper mill, food and homeopathic medicine. Within the zero-waste design system of making materials, what is considered waste for one industry can be an ingredient for another.

Text submitted by the maker and edited by the Future Materials Bank. For information about reproducing (a part of) this text, please contact the maker.