WÜN is intended as an alternative to single-use disposable plastic cutlery. The product is molded from diverted scrap wood (Aspen and Birch), laminated with natural bonders and finished with a confectioners glaze to prevent any slivers. As a result, the cutlery is completely biodegradable. The rigid wood construction also out performs plastic cutlery; this knife actually cuts meat. Given the energy that goes into harvesting, producing, packaging and shipping products like this, throwing anything away after a single use is obviously not ideal. But, I think it’s safe to say that convenience and disposability are thoroughly ingrained in today’s culture. Designs that embrace this behavior have a much greater probability of consumer acceptance and WÜN’s well-considered design goes a long way to minimizing the impact of our bad habits. Still, the forms are so pleasing it’s tempting to try reusing them. Incidentally, for those interested in the contributions of ‘non-designers’ in the realm of Canadian design, this product is another nice example; designed and prototyped by three shop teachers working in a home kitchen.