Have you seen wheelchairs with diverse and original designs? These are called spoke guards, devices that protect wheelchair users from getting their fingers or IV lines caught in the wheels. In August, LG Chem and COC Lab, a social value realization project company, collaborated to provide these spoke guards to children. The spoke guards were made using recycled plastic (PCR PC), and young wheelchair users were given the chance to design their own. Let’s take a closer look at how it all came together.

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Eco-friendly Spoke Guards that Reflect Individuality!

In August, LG Chem collaborated with COC Lab (Circle of Change Lab), a social value realization project company, to present children with spoke guards made from eco-friendly materials. Spoke guards are round protective covers that attach to the spokes of a wheelchair, which prevent fingers or IV lines from getting caught while the wheels are in motion.  

LG Chem and COC Lab went beyond simply providing protection; they enabled children using wheelchairs to customize their spoke guards. Kids worked alongside young designers to design unique spoke guards featuring combinations of their favorite characters, animals, and original drawings or patterns. The spoke guards were made using PCR PC (Post-Consumer Recycled Polycarbonate), a product of LG Chem’s eco-friendly material brand, LETZero. PCR PC is processed by sorting and collecting discarded polycarbonate (PC), which is then crushed, washed, and melted down into pellets. These pellets become the raw material for PCR PC. Though it is made from recycled materials, PCR PC has physical properties comparable to conventional PC. It is transparent, 150 times stronger than tempered glass, and can withstand temperatures above 120°C. Plus, it is highly colorable, allowing for vibrant colors in the final product. These features make PCR PC apt for the production of spoke guards.  

Helping Everyone to Express Individuality Through Design! COC Lab

Since 2018, COC Lab has been running a social contribution initiative called “Create Your Own Spoke Guard” project, which enables young wheelchair users to design their own spoke guards. We had an opportunity to speak with CEO Kim Tae-hee of COC Lab about the recent collaboration with LG Chem, as well as the “Create Your Own Spoke Guard” initiative.

What is coc lab, and what kind of work does the organization do?

COC Lab stands for “Circle of Change.” We create wheelchair guards and spoke guards that allow expression of individuality while promoting safe wheelchair use. Through collaborations with talented young designers, public institutions, and businesses, we donate spoke guards to children using wheelchairs and to wheelchairs placed in public facilities. Our focus is on changing the uncomfortable perceptions surrounding wheelchairs.  

Why are spoke guards necessary?

Spoke guards prevent fingers or IV lines from getting caught in the wheels. They also help protect against accidents that might occur when young wheelchair users are around other kids, such as tangling with backpack straps or clothing. However, our greatest interest lies on the individuality and satisfaction expressed by wheelchair users when customizing their spoke guards. The presence of these spoke guards can also change how the public perceives people sitting in wheelchairs. COC Lab aims to facilitate this transformation through design.  

You designed and produced spoke guards in collaboration with LG Chem. How did this project come about?

It’s been long since we started thinking about how great it would be to create spoke guards out of eco-friendly materials. I searched around for materials that could be applied to spoke guards, but none of them were actually usable. At times, I felt disappointed, thinking that it might be too challenging for a small organization like ours to create items with eco-friendly materials.

That’s when I discovered an article about eco-friendly materials on LG Chem blog and reached out for assistance. After making request, I didn’t have much expectation, but I was surprised when I received contact shortly after. From there, various departments kept in touch, and the collaboration began to take shape. LG Chem provided the PCR PC material and offered all processing for the spoke guards at no cost.

How are spoke guards produced?

It begins with a design process. For the project with LG Chem, we matched ten students in first and second grades who sit in wheelchairs with five young designers. They held both offline and online meetings where the children expressed their interests and how they wanted to decorate their wheelchairs. The children’s original drawings were also incorporated into the designs, making sure the children’s desires were fully reflected. Finally, PCR PC provided by LG Chem was cut to fit the children’s wheelchair sizes, printed, and assembled before being attached to the wheels. Through this project, a total of 10 children received eco-friendly spoke guards. The project will continue in the future so we can meet more of young wheelchair users.  

What was the response of the children who received spoke guards?

They would say, “It’s so cool. I could go on a space trip in my wheelchair,” or “Before, I felt like people were staring at me because I was disabled. Now, it feels like they are interested in my moving artwork (the spoke guard).” We appreciated these valuable feedbacks. Spoke guards are like clothes that children cherish and that suit them well. Spoke guards with originality provide children with the feeling of going out in their favorite outfit. These days, it’s hard to encounter people in wheelchairs on the street, and many are unaware of the existence of spoke guards. However, I believe that small efforts like those from COC Lab and LG Chem will add up to make a world where walking past wheelchairs isn’t unusual, and where people can decorate and use wheelchairs, or anything else, beautifully and safely as they wish. Such a world will be a more mature place.  

With Hope for LG Chem’s Eco-friendly Materials to be Used in Meaningful Ways

What inspired LG Chem to collaborate with COC Lab, the social value realization project company, to produce eco-friendly spoke guards? We asked Specialist Park Kwan-ho of LG Chem’s brand team to find out.  

What was the background for providing eco-friendly materials
and assistance in the production of spoke guards?

Our connection began when CEO Kim Tae-hee of COC Lab left a comment on the LG Chem blog. We felt honored at the thought of LG Chem being able to help children, and decided to lend our support. Not to mention LG Chem’s eco-friendly materials being used in meaningful ways!  

What eco-friendly material was used in the production of spoke guards?

Spoke guards needed to be sturdy to ensure the safety of wheelchair users. Additionally, they had to be lightweight for the user’s convenience. Fortunately, LG Chem had a product that met these requirements: polycarbonate (PC). PC is strong and lightweight, commonly used in automotive bumpers and police helmets. It doesn’t break under strong impacts, making it perfect for spoke guards. The material used for the spoke guards is eco-friendly and differs from regular PC. It’s called PCR PC (Post-Consumer Recycled Polycarbonate), a product which represents LG Chem’s eco-friendly material brand LETZero, obtained by collecting and recycling discarded PC with LG Chem’s technology.  

 

What are your feelings about successfully producing and delivering the spoke guards?

Thanks to the support and encouragement from many employees, the project proceeded smoothly. The CSR team, in particular, played an active role, ensuring that every step went well. After successfully completing the spoke guard project, we found ourselves thinking more about ‘How we can provide even more help.” We plan to explore more ways for LG Chem to contribute to the society. We also hope that the children who participated will grow up healthy and well.

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CEO Kim Tae-hee of COC Lab added, “With LG Chem’s support, more children have been able to decorate their own wheelchairs and learn the importance of the environment. We will keep working so that our small circle can change the world’s perceptions.” It’s a joy for LG Chem as well, that our eco-friendly product PCR PC could be used in this project to help express the diverse dreams and individuality of children. LG Chem will continue our efforts and contributions to bring positive changes to the society and enhance sustainable values.