From ad agency to inventor

Peter Martin likes to think big… and small. An ex-civil engineer, he started out small – running an ad agency from his back bedroom, which then became one of the most successful in Southeast Asia. When he sold the business and returned to the UK, he decided that a really big problem was the amount of things we all threw away. But rather than waste time looking for a really big solution, he decided to create the perfect space to encourage thousands of small ones.

The Vac:Sac

Junkk.com is inventors’ heaven. And no potentially binnable item is too small for an ingenious makeover. Peter describes it as “matchmaking those with nifty ideas for finding second uses for stuff with those who can’t bear to chuck stuff away”.

This ranges from dumbbells made from chocolate drink containers, through to wine cork memo boards and rugs made from old tee-shirts. Plus a few pretty whacky ones, like the Vac:Sac.

The RE:tie

The RE:tie

He’s also invented the RE:tie, designed to evolve the small ring of plastic packaging that we tear off drink containers, such as milk containers bought in supermarkets.These rings reassure purchasers that the container has not been tampered with.

But once removed they’re traditionally consigned to the bin. Peter has come up with a ‘second life’ version that can be retied – to hold plants in place, bind electric cables into tidy bundles, secure plastic bags… It can be branded so, for example, long after we’ve drunk the drink, we remember the name of the manufacturer, because it’s on the tie holding our tomato canes in place.

Gold medal winner

The idea won a Gold medal at the 35th Salon International des Inventions des Techniques et Produits Nouveux in Geneva, one of the most prestigious events of its type. But Peter is still waiting for a brand or manufacturer to put the RE:ties into commercial production. Any takers?

In the time-honoured tradition Peter does his inventing in his garden shed – well, sheds to be accurate. “When I came home after selling the agency in Singapore I was able to buy a home with a fair number of outbuildings and a double garage. That’s where I’ve created my dream workshop and do some of my best work.”

His wife Joan – aka the singer-songwriter Phoenix J – would probably argue he also does some of his ‘best work’ all round the house a bit too much, but that’s another story. “I have a large house and a very understanding wife.”

Big ideas – small shed

Peter believes that all great small ideas start with a great small shed. “It’s much easier to work on ideas if you’ve got your tools all laid out and you don’t have to tidy up when it’s tea time. But that doesn’t mean that some of the best ideas can’t be conjured up without much work at all. For example, plastic bottle tops can make great floor protectors. You just put them on the feet of tables and chairs.”

Like Make it and Mend it, Peter believes that more people would ‘do the right thing’ and throw less away if they’re inspired rather than chastised. Politicians and lobby groups need to tackle green issues the way the way the big consumer brands tackle selling us things.

“In advertising the saying is: ‘You don’t sell the sausage, you sell the sizzle.’ McDonalds don’t say: ‘Buy our burgers – or else’ they say ‘Buy them because, look… hmmm… they’re tasty’.”

When he’s not in inventing he’s helping to raise his 13 year-old twin sons with wife Joan whilst running Firebird.com, a creative agency and music publishing / production business. Yet another small big idea that was responsible for Phoenix J’s debut Top 40 album.

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