The term denotes ceramic material, primarily used for dishware and other utilitarian objects, that incorporates pre-consumer or post-consumer ceramic waste into its composition. This reclaimed material is ground and mixed with virgin stoneware clay, altering the final product’s characteristics and potentially reducing the demand for newly extracted resources. The inclusion of recovered materials can influence the item’s color, texture, and firing properties. An example is a mug crafted with a percentage of ground-up, discarded ceramic tiles blended into the clay body.
Utilization offers several advantages. Environmentally, it lessens the volume of ceramic waste sent to landfills and can lower the energy expenditure associated with raw material extraction and processing. Economically, it presents the potential for cost savings through reduced raw material reliance. Historically, the practice of incorporating waste materials into ceramic production has roots in resource scarcity and a desire to minimize material loss, evolving into a modern sustainable practice.
