Social Goods Co-op
Social Goods Co-op is a local social enterprise in Hong Kong found by Kit Lee who was nominated the best young designer in 2010. Their aim is to transform discarded and wasted materials into various designed handmade products with unique Hong Kong style. Its product are the cross-over of modern designs and Hong Kong traditional art works, for instance, bracelet, necklaces, neck warmers and tote bags. Social Goods Co-op mainly works with local community for woman from low income families and the low skilled labour. It aims to spread out their value of preserving environment and tradition to the globe. Hndsme Co-op (Handmade Small Medium Enterprise Co-op) is the supporter of Social Goods Co-op which also aims at providing service catering to Small and Medium Enterprises.
Aims
The purpose of establishing this entreprise is to promote Hong Kong designs with the unique features of this place. It makes use of the labour force provided by local female workers who lost their jobs when the industries in Hong Kong were moved to China in the 1970s. Also, the rag that was produced during manufacturing process which was treated as rubbish. Social Goods Co-op aims to provide more job opportunities and chances for the workers who have certain skills to show their abilities. In the long run, they hope to design more D.I.Y. products and promote them overseas, so as to help more skilled but unemployed workers to get a job. The ideology of Social Goods Co-op is: “BE INSPIRED BY OUR NEIGHBORHOOD, find true beauty in our community and create surprises and joys for our everyday life!” Inspired by all-round neighborhood, the mode of community-friendly production and operation makes most of the products be full of dense human touch. Also, these dissolving designs are made by some idle resources that can be seen everywhere in our daily life while always left forgotten. It is Social Goods Co-Op’s value that is to both advocate the concept of waste reduction and green consumption and add value of products.
Events
Social Goods Co-op has taken part in several arts events since it was found. It occasionally joins the craft markets held in Hong Kong, such as the Design Market 2011, Lan Kwai Fong Carnival 2011 - Art & Craft Street, Planet D Design Mart Detour 2011, Makers' Fair and The Night Market Project 2013. The brand has also held some workshop and exhibitions. It took part in the Hong Kong Farm Workshop, PMQ: Co-creation and 100 Too Proud Design.
Upcycling Project
HKMade Co-Operates Limited collaborates with the Hong Kong Science and Technological Park in the Upcycling project, which Social Goods Co-op had also involved. The Upcycling project advocated the transformation of discarded products into useful items. This was one of the ways to reduce the amount of waste. The project aims at creating environmentally friendly and socially good products. At first, they collected second-hand T-shirts and garments used by factories, then transformed them into tote bags and accessories. Besides, HKMade Co-Operates Limited works with local women non-governmental organizations. Throughout this project, they hired skillful female workers.