IOHU · pronounced Yoho
Turning surplus materials into useful products.
From industrial lifting straps to tool bags.
Look again at what goes to waste. We design useful products from materials that would otherwise be thrown away.
Tell us about your materialsTake a short survey to help us find out what waste or surplus materials are available.
The markings refer to the original straps; the bag has no load rating.
In development
The Load Series
We’re exploring several ways to put retired lifting straps to use, from tool bags to workshop storage.
Help shape the design
Feedback from tradespeople is already shaping the design. What frustrates you about carrying or storing your tools? If you have feedback or an idea, drop us a message.
Share your feedbackHow we develop a product
Find the materialUnderstand what’s available and in what condition.
Test the ideaAsk potential users what would make it useful.
Choose who makes itFind a maker, manufacturer or social enterprise with the right skills.
Local partnerships.
Shared value.
Good ideas should create more than a good product.
We look for opportunities to work with local social enterprises, makers and production partners to turn overlooked materials into useful products. Depending on the project, that could involve prototyping, preparing materials, making, finishing or packaging.
We want these partnerships to create fairly paid work, develop skills and help social enterprises sustain their activities. The right partnership starts with the skills, capacity and approach each project needs.
Inclusive working matters to us. We value different backgrounds, abilities and ways of thinking, including those of neurodivergent people. Clear communication, flexible ways to contribute and attention to individual needs help people do their best work.
Have a waste material
that could be repurposed?
Ask us to explore an idea. You don’t need a finished plan—just a material, a problem or a possibility worth a closer look.
Tell us what it is, roughly how much there is, where it’s located and whether it’s a one-off or a regular supply. A few photographs can help us understand the opportunity.
Materials & opportunities
Surplus, offcuts or waste materials that might have another useful life.
Making & production
Social enterprises, makers and production partners interested in developing practical solutions together.
Testing & insight
Honest feedback from people who could use what we’re developing.
Let’s see what’s possible.
hello@iohu.co.ukBefore we explore your material
What materials can I ask about?
Start with what you have: surplus stock, offcuts or materials left over from an existing process. Our first project explores industrial straps. We assess other materials individually rather than promising that every material can be repurposed.
What happens after I email?
We start with the material, its condition, quantity and location, then discuss possible uses. If there is a promising direction, we can explore suitability, prototypes, user feedback, production options and costs together.
Do you offer waste collection?
Contact us to explore a reuse or product development opportunity. This is not a general waste collection or disposal service; any practical arrangements would be discussed for the specific project.
We’ll start by understanding the material or idea and discussing whether there’s a useful route forward.