"In China these days the mechanization of factories is increasing at a fast rate because of the rise in labor costs. As more facilities are set up to minimize the waste, there won’t be a recycling procedure which uses time and labor like now. This has led to the creation of unique items that will only be produced in this present time. This recycled rubber bucket is representative of this unrefined process. Although we used to sell Spain-made rubber buckets made out of recycled tires, this is the first time we have seen white recycled rubber. We had heard it is made from the soles of canvas deck shoes commonly worn in China. They melt all leftover rubber that remains after punching the soles out of the shoes then harden the rubber again to make the bucket. The rubber is pressed between the molds like a Japanese waffle and once hardened are released one by one. The rough edges that occur because of the production process are left untouched. The marble patterns, which create a stone like texture, must be the result of some red and yellow accidentally being added into the white rubber. There is no guarantee the unrefined process that makes these one-of-a-kind products will still exist 10 years from now. This transience makes these products valuable."

Area: China

No.108162
Size: H 6 in. x W 19.5 in. x D 14 in.
Material: Recycled Rubber

By using recycled materials and hand made processes, PUEBCO imbues these objects with the feel of many lifetimes, and a sense of history that makes each piece unique.