Singapore designer transforms discarded eggshells into stylish homeware

In a creative display of sustainability, Singaporean designer Eden Loh is giving discarded eggshells a second life by transforming them into stylish homeware. Loh, the force behind the design studio Odd M, collects eggshells from the carrot cake hawker stall Carrot Cubes and repurposes them into a composite material for a range of products.

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The process is relatively simple but tedious.

His collection includes planters, decorative plates, and even egg trays, with prices ranging from S$26 to S$48. Loh was drawn to eggshells for their natural patterns and textures, which add a unique aesthetic to the finished items. The process, while described as tedious, begins with thorough washing and drying, followed by grinding the shells into powder.

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It's around 4 days to make one product, but I can batch make around six to eight items at a time.

Loh explained that the eggshell processing takes about two days from collection to grinding, and another two days for molding and post-processing. This means each item takes approximately four days to produce, though he can create six to eight items simultaneously in batches. A single planter requires the shells of about 35 to 40 eggs, while a small trinket tray uses five to 10.

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I then looked to a waste resource that was closer to home, which happens to be eggs.

The inspiration struck Loh after observing other designers using waste materials like coffee grounds and old tires. He sought a readily available waste resource closer to home, which led him to eggs. He wanted to offer an alternative to composting or burning eggshell waste. Initially, he used shells from his own household, but the demand for his creations led him to seek a more consistent supply from hawker stalls like Carrot Cubes.

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I am happy to give it away if the eggshells can benefit them in any way.