StudioLUF

Origami has long been rooted in the use of traditional paper. But at Studio LUF, we began asking a different question: Why should folding be limited to paper? Instead, we chose snack bags as our material of choice, and the reason is clear. Snack bags have entirely different physical properties compared to regular origami paper. Today, let's take a closer look at how these two materials compare from scientific and practical perspectives. Material Properties: How Do Paper and Snack Bags Differ? Traditional origami paper is a lightweight material made from plant-based fibers. It's easy to tear and quickly deteriorates when exposed to water. Snack bags, on the other hand, are composite materials made from plastic and aluminum, offering impressive durability and waterproof capabilities. While origami paper folds softly and creates crisp, clean creases, snack bags are stiff and have a slippery surface, making them harder to manipulate and requiring more force to shape. However, once ...

The Harsh Reality Behind Snack Bag Recycling Snack bags often carry recycling symbols, giving the impression that they are easily recyclable. But in reality, only a tiny fraction ever make it through any form of reuse. And even that small percentage doesn’t follow the kind of recycling process most of us imagine. Instead, these bags are handled through alternative methods, and often in ways that raise serious environmental questions. So, what exactly happens to the so-called "10%" that are counted as recycled? Where do those snack bags actually end up? The Four Realities of Snack Bag "Recycling" The first and most common method is Waste-to-Energy (WTE). This involves burning snack bags in high-temperature incinerators to generate electricity or heat. While Japan and parts of Europe have advanced WTE facilities, this process is closer to energy recovery than true recycling. And the problems don’t stop there. Incineration releases harmful substances like dioxins, nitr...

Origami: From a Simple Craft to a Tool for Innovation Origami has long been regarded as a playful hobby or an artistic expression, but today, it is much more than that. What was once a form of creative play has now become a critical tool in science, architecture, space exploration, and even environmental sustainability. How did the simple act of folding paper merge with cutting-edge technology? And how far can we push the boundaries of origami? Origami and Science – NASA’s Solar Panel Breakthrough Why Did NASA Turn to Origami? Space is one of the most extreme environments known to humankind. Every spacecraft must carry complex equipment in a confined space while ensuring that these components can expand efficiently once deployed. Traditional engineering solutions had limitations, prompting NASA to explore the principles of origami as a means to solve these challenges. The Miura Fold – A Revolutionary Solar Panel Design In the 1970s, Japanese astrophysicist Koryo Miura developed a groun...

The Miracle of a Single Sheet of Paper A single sheet of paper—plain and unassuming—transforms with just a few folds into a bird, a flower, or even a complex architectural structure. What appears to be a simple pastime is, in reality, a cultural heritage that reflects human creativity and artistry. But where did origami begin? The Eastern Origins of Paper Folding China – The Birthplace of Paper and Paper Crafts To discuss the origins of origami, we must first acknowledge the invention of paper. In 105 AD, Cai Lun of China introduced paper, revolutionizing communication and artistry. While China was the birthplace of paper, paper folding in its early stages was not widely used for recreational purposes. Instead, it was primarily associated with ceremonial practices. Paper crafts such as zhǐhuā (paper flowers) and paper figurines were used in Buddhist and Taoist rituals, signifying offerings to the gods or the spirits of the deceased. Japan – The Birth of Origami as an Art Form Japan too...

 Snack bags often come with a recycling symbol, leading many to believe they are recyclable. However, the reality is quite different. Only a small fraction—around 10%—is processed, and even then, it rarely follows the traditional recycling path. Instead, these snack bags are diverted into alternative waste management methods. But what exactly happens to that 10%? The Four Ways Snack Bags Are "Recycled" 1) Incineration for Energy (Waste-to-Energy, WTE) Instead of being recycled into new materials, most snack bags are incinerated to generate electricity or heating energy. This method is widely used in countries like Japan and several parts of Europe. While WTE reduces landfill waste, it raises concerns over carbon emissions and air pollution. More importantly, many waste statistics classify this process as "recycling," even though it is fundamentally different from material recovery. 2) Upcycling Initiatives (e.g., TerraCycle and Brand Programs) Some companies and env...

Protecting the Environment Doesn’t Have to Be Difficult When we hear the phrase "environmental protection," it often feels like something massive, complicated, or out of reach. But in reality, it doesn’t require grand projects or drastic lifestyle changes. Even small adjustments in our daily lives can make a meaningful difference. Here are some simple yet powerful habits that anyone can adopt. These little changes, when practiced collectively, can lead to a significant impact. Changing Everyday Consumption Habits Carrying a reusable bag instead of using plastic shopping bags can eliminate over 300 plastic bags per year. Bringing a tumbler to cafés instead of using disposable cups can save around 500 paper cups annually. Before making a purchase, ask yourself, "Do I really need this?" Cutting down on unnecessary shopping reduces not only personal waste but also excessive packaging that contributes to environmental pollution. Recycling Properly Instead of Just Throwin...

 What’s the More Eco-Friendly Choice When We Take a Sip? One day, I ordered an iced coffee at a café. When I picked up my drink, I noticed something different—the straw wasn’t plastic but paper. “I guess they switched for environmental reasons,” I thought. At first, it didn’t seem like a big deal. But after a few sips, the paper straw started absorbing moisture, becoming soft and flimsy. “This is really inconvenient,” I muttered. Nowadays, many cafés and restaurants are replacing plastic straws with paper ones for a single reason: plastic straws are seen as an environmental hazard. But is plastic really such a major environmental problem? And is paper truly a better alternative? Are Plastic Straws Really the Main Culprit of Environmental Pollution? Plastic straws became a symbol of environmental destruction in 2015 when a viral video shocked the world. A marine biologist in Costa Rica filmed a sea turtle with a plastic straw lodged in its nostril, struggling to breathe as researche...

 Snack bags—technically classified as “recyclable waste.” But are they really recyclable? If you’ve read my previous post, you already know the harsh reality: snack bags are one of the least recyclable packaging types. So what can we do about it? Let’s explore the most common ideas people suggest. Rinse and Recycle—A Solution or a Waste of Time? First, rinsing and recycling. Some believe that if you rinse out snack bags before throwing them away, they have a better chance of being recycled. That sounds logical at first, but let’s take a closer look. Rinsing wastes water, it takes time and effort, and most importantly, even if you clean them perfectly, they still won’t be recycled. Be honest—how many people in the world actually wash their snack bags before throwing them away? Probably fewer than ten in a million. Even if someone does, it doesn’t change the outcome. In the end, they still end up in landfills or incinerators. Washing snack bags is nothing more than a false hope. It m...

Summary Snack bags are nearly impossible to recycle due to their fused plastic-aluminum layers. Even if rinsed, most facilities can’t process them, with recycling rates under 10%. While rinsing may reduce contamination, it doesn’t make them truly recyclable. So, if recycling isn’t the answer, what’s the alternative? The search continues in the next post.  I was standing in my kitchen, holding an empty bag of chips, staring at the oily crumbs left inside. I hesitated. Do I need to rinse this out before throwing it away? I had heard it before—"Snack bags are hard to recycle, but if you wash them first, they have a better chance of being processed properly." It sounded logical. After all, food residue can contaminate recycling batches, right? But then I paused. Wait… does rinsing actually help? Or is it just something we do to feel better about throwing things away?  So, I decided to find out. Why Are Snack Bags So Hard to Recycle? Unlike simple plastic bottles, which can be mel...

  While scrolling through the internet, I stumbled upon an interesting photo. On the left, people were tossing all their household waste into a large metal dumpster. On the right, there was no dumpster at all—just an open area where trash was left in piles. The stark contrast made me pause. What kind of waste management system is this? That question stuck with me. It made me reflect on how recycling works in Korea, where I live, on the system in Germany, which genuinely surprised me during my visit to Munich last year, and finally, on the system in the USA, where this photo was taken. How different are these three countries when it comes to recycling? Germany – When Money Drives Recycling When I first traveled to Munich, Germany, I wasn’t thinking about waste management. I was there for football—to see Kim Min-jae play in Germany and Son Heung-min in England. But one day, while staying at a guesthouse, I went to a local supermarket for water and snacks. The moment I checked out, I ...