RENEW by Trinity Paves the Way for Sustainable Living

By Robert White, Editor-In-Chief

In an age where sustainability has become more than just a trend, RENEW by Trinity is setting a revolutionary example in the home design industry by repurposing discarded materials into beautiful and functional products. This eco-conscious brand, born under the leadership of Cze-Chao Tam, CEO of Trinity International Industries, is reshaping how we view waste by turning single-use chopsticks into stylish home accessories. Launched in July 2024, RENEW has rapidly made its mark on the industry with a collection that not only elevates home aesthetics but also champions environmental responsibility.

“Sustainability is at the core of our business model,” says Cze-Chao Tam. “With RENEW, there is a huge opportunity to create real impact at scale.” This mission is evident in every step of RENEW’s process, from sourcing materials to designing the final product. At its North Texas-based facility, affectionately known as The Chop Shop, the brand upcycles bamboo chopsticks collected from restaurants and transforms them into high-quality home goods. The inspiration came from the staggering amount of waste generated by single-use chopsticks—1.5 billion of which are discarded weekly across the globe.

Tam, an inspiring Asian-American entrepreneur with a strong background in finance, co-founded Trinity International Industries in 2007 and took over as CEO in 2014. She has been a driving force behind the brand’s push towards sustainability. Her passion for environmental stewardship stems from her personal love for the outdoors, which has also influenced her professional vision. “We must rethink waste entirely,” she says, emphasizing the need to find innovative ways to repurpose materials that would otherwise end up in landfills.

RENEW’s products come with their own environmental backstory. For instance, the Gather + Graze Serving Board reclaims 265 chopsticks per unit, saving approximately 28.44 pounds of CO2 emissions. Each item, whether it’s a minimalist coffee table or cleverly designed pet furniture, is crafted with non-toxic and formaldehyde-free finishes, ensuring that they are safe for both the home and the planet. Every piece in the collection tells a story—both in terms of design and environmental impact.

A key feature of the brand is the engraved labels on each product, detailing the number of chopsticks used in its creation. “It was important to me that we put this information on the products,” Tam explains. This transparency not only educates consumers but also fosters a deeper connection to the items they bring into their homes.

The journey doesn’t end with chopsticks. Tam and her team are constantly exploring other materials that can be repurposed into eco-friendly goods. They are currently testing the potential of used coffee grounds, which could be compressed and turned into future products. "There is so much that we throw away," says Tam. "We have to think about the waste and how it can be reused."

RENEW’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond its product offerings. By sourcing its bamboo chopsticks from Chop Value, a certified B Corporation, the brand reduces waste while conserving natural resources. The process minimizes transportation-related CO2 emissions and ensures the chopsticks are cleaned and pressed with the utmost care before being transformed into RENEW’s signature pieces.

As RENEW continues to grow, Tam remains focused on her larger vision—creating a movement towards sustainable living. The brand’s success is a testament to how a single idea, born out of a concern for the environment, can spark change on a larger scale. “Awareness is key,” she says. “We want people to think outside the box about what can be recycled and how they can make a difference in their everyday lives.”

With its innovative approach, RENEW by Trinity is not just producing home goods; it’s creating a more sustainable future, one reclaimed chopstick at a time.