The way of the future
The jury is still out on whether cardboard bicycles are the way of the future. As with anything, there is no one-size-fits-all material that suits every occasion. While a cardboard bike may be the perfect solution for a cheap vacation vehicle that’s easily disposed of after its use, a good old-fashioned and well maintained metal bike may be a more environmentally sensible choice for riders intending to exchange long-term vows with their spoked friend. While an office made entirely of cardboard may go viral in a “furniture porn” sort of way, it is probably not going to be the most practical and sought after interior decor for the average business owner. But just as most people are not going to wear the Hollywood starlet’s fashion wear, the ideas presented by the trendsetters can inspire new possibilities for the rest of us. We’ve seen George Clooney and Brad Pitt in Tesla Roadsters and Jessica Alba on a Vélib', so why not Angelina Jolie in a cardboard evening dress?
Ultimately, using cardboard for the greatest good for people and planet comes down to four factors: functionality, volume, perception, and marketing. Combining the four is where Gary Barker has made the most inroads with Ditto Hangers, but there are many other products that could follow suit in these categories.