CREATING SUSTAINABLE RIPPLES IN THE GLASS SEA
2024/08/05
W Glass Project by SPRING POOL GLASS
Established in 1981, Spring Pool Glass Industrial Co. Ltd. (Spring Pool Glass) currently operates six waste glass processing and recycling plants in the Hsinchu and Miaoli counties. The company places a significant focus on resource recycling. Viewing the circular economy model as a strategy for transformation and upgrading, it aims to create new value for traditional industries.
Spring Pool Glass Industrial Co., Ltd. chairman Wu Chun-chi (middle), managing director T.A. Wu (middle left), and team (photo courtesy of Spring Pool Glass)
T.A. Wu, managing director of Spring Pool Glass, recounts, “Spring Room is an important part of the 'W Glass Project' that has organically emerged to some extent. We never imagined it would become such a well-planned space." The first floor includes a workshop for blowing glass, the second floor sells various glass design products, and the third floor allows visitors to enjoy coffee while viewing exhibitions. This space invites people to come and learn about the social movement towards "changing the circular economy through glass recycling.
Creating a New Paradigm of "Craftsmanship, Design, and Circularity"
Since 2017, the initiation of the W Glass Project has been propelled by the recognition of Spring Pond Glass as
Taiwan's largest glass recycling plant, receiving nearly 100,000 metric tons of glass annually, constituting 60%to 70% of Taiwan's total recycling volume. Wu resolved to make recycling the core of their business, forging a sustainable operational framework integrating craftsmanship, design, and circularity. Much like how recycled glass can serve as raw material or be reconstituted into goods or building materials, this endeavor not only explores diverse possibilities for Spring Pond Glass but also actively addresses societal and environmental concerns. Of particular note is the year 2017 when Spring Pond Glass participated in Creative Expo Taiwan, curating an exhibit where 40 metric tons of recycled glass formed a sea of glass on which visitors were invited to walk barefoot upon. This successful exhibition garnered widespread attention and initiated a series of subsequent cross-industry collaborations.
1.The Spring Room in Hsinchu County serves as an essential publicly-facing exhibition and communication space for the W Glass Project. (Photo courtesy of Spring Pool Glass)
2.The counter of The POOL café is made of glass bricks, an environmentally friendly building material. (Photo
courtesy of Spring Pool Glass, Photo Credits: YUCHEN CHAO PHOTOGRAPHY)
3.In addition to the glass workshop on the first floor, the second floor of the Spring Room in Hsinchu County is also designed as the Spring Glass Select Store. (Photo courtesy of Spring Pool Glass)
Transforming the DNA of Business Objectives into Diverse Innovative Values
Indeed, the W Glass Project not only aims to create a multifaceted experiential space, but also collaborates with
like-minded brands or shops to introduce cultural and creative products. Additionally, it organizes glass-themed
events, such as the Transparent Festival or Transparent Market, with the goal of integrating circular sustainability into daily lifestyles. In September 2023, it even ventured overseas to Tokyo to establish a pop-up store, facilitating international exchange in glass craftsmanship and circular design.
Furthermore, Wu emphasizes that since its inception, Spring Pond Glass has been engaged in glass recycling. Circular sustainability is deeply ingrained in its very DNA. "Therefore, being able to accelerate the process of achieving a circular economy in society doesn't feel burdensome at all."
Organized since 2022, the glass-themed Transparent Festival collaborates with restaurants, designers, craftsmen, and others to promote environmental sustainability issues. (Photo courtesy of Spring Pool Glass, Photo Credits: Shouya Song, Aaron)
Successfully Implementing Circular Economy to Overcome the Stereotype of "Worthless Waste”
Because circular sustainability is both the core mission and the greatest driving force, Wu never worries that,
with the belief in “craftsmanship, design, and circularity”of the W Glass Project, the aspect of design will one day
overshadow its primary essence. As the W Glass Project enters its sixth year, it will likely continue to bring various opportunities for Spring Pond Glass. "Some parts may be commercial in nature, while others may have educational significance. We will consider a more comprehensive approach," Wu explains. He hopes that Spring Pond Glass can be bold in opening up new dimensions of circular sustainability, extending its impact to the deepest and widest reaches and overturning the long-held stereotype of "worthless waste" - representing menial work or low value-added perceptions.
T.A. Wu firmly believes that the circular economy must rely on economics to drive value circulation.
Spring Pool Glass Industrial Co., Ltd. chairman Wu Chun-chi (middle), managing director T.A. Wu (middle left), and team (photo courtesy of Spring Pool Glass)
T.A. Wu, managing director of Spring Pool Glass, recounts, “Spring Room is an important part of the 'W Glass Project' that has organically emerged to some extent. We never imagined it would become such a well-planned space." The first floor includes a workshop for blowing glass, the second floor sells various glass design products, and the third floor allows visitors to enjoy coffee while viewing exhibitions. This space invites people to come and learn about the social movement towards "changing the circular economy through glass recycling.
Creating a New Paradigm of "Craftsmanship, Design, and Circularity"
Since 2017, the initiation of the W Glass Project has been propelled by the recognition of Spring Pond Glass as
Taiwan's largest glass recycling plant, receiving nearly 100,000 metric tons of glass annually, constituting 60%to 70% of Taiwan's total recycling volume. Wu resolved to make recycling the core of their business, forging a sustainable operational framework integrating craftsmanship, design, and circularity. Much like how recycled glass can serve as raw material or be reconstituted into goods or building materials, this endeavor not only explores diverse possibilities for Spring Pond Glass but also actively addresses societal and environmental concerns. Of particular note is the year 2017 when Spring Pond Glass participated in Creative Expo Taiwan, curating an exhibit where 40 metric tons of recycled glass formed a sea of glass on which visitors were invited to walk barefoot upon. This successful exhibition garnered widespread attention and initiated a series of subsequent cross-industry collaborations.
1.The Spring Room in Hsinchu County serves as an essential publicly-facing exhibition and communication space for the W Glass Project. (Photo courtesy of Spring Pool Glass)
2.The counter of The POOL café is made of glass bricks, an environmentally friendly building material. (Photo
courtesy of Spring Pool Glass, Photo Credits: YUCHEN CHAO PHOTOGRAPHY)
3.In addition to the glass workshop on the first floor, the second floor of the Spring Room in Hsinchu County is also designed as the Spring Glass Select Store. (Photo courtesy of Spring Pool Glass)
Transforming the DNA of Business Objectives into Diverse Innovative Values
Indeed, the W Glass Project not only aims to create a multifaceted experiential space, but also collaborates with
like-minded brands or shops to introduce cultural and creative products. Additionally, it organizes glass-themed
events, such as the Transparent Festival or Transparent Market, with the goal of integrating circular sustainability into daily lifestyles. In September 2023, it even ventured overseas to Tokyo to establish a pop-up store, facilitating international exchange in glass craftsmanship and circular design.
Furthermore, Wu emphasizes that since its inception, Spring Pond Glass has been engaged in glass recycling. Circular sustainability is deeply ingrained in its very DNA. "Therefore, being able to accelerate the process of achieving a circular economy in society doesn't feel burdensome at all."
Organized since 2022, the glass-themed Transparent Festival collaborates with restaurants, designers, craftsmen, and others to promote environmental sustainability issues. (Photo courtesy of Spring Pool Glass, Photo Credits: Shouya Song, Aaron)
Successfully Implementing Circular Economy to Overcome the Stereotype of "Worthless Waste”
Because circular sustainability is both the core mission and the greatest driving force, Wu never worries that,
with the belief in “craftsmanship, design, and circularity”of the W Glass Project, the aspect of design will one day
overshadow its primary essence. As the W Glass Project enters its sixth year, it will likely continue to bring various opportunities for Spring Pond Glass. "Some parts may be commercial in nature, while others may have educational significance. We will consider a more comprehensive approach," Wu explains. He hopes that Spring Pond Glass can be bold in opening up new dimensions of circular sustainability, extending its impact to the deepest and widest reaches and overturning the long-held stereotype of "worthless waste" - representing menial work or low value-added perceptions.
T.A. Wu firmly believes that the circular economy must rely on economics to drive value circulation.