The Earth is awash in garbage, and designers of home decor are looking at ways to reuse the waste. Among the many clever ideas emerging are tiles made out of blue jeans, and furniture made out of bottles.

Detritus from timber and agriculture is being reborn as building and design materials. Sea algae is being used to create dyes and fabrics.

These innovations signal a shift in our relationship with materials, says Caroline Till of the London-based design house Franklin Till . Her firm created "The Future is Urban" pavilion at Frankfurt's Heimtextil fair last year, which showcased trends in glo...