A critical examination of waste and recyclable plastics
Re-using different types of recyclable plastics (HDPE + PP+ non specified polymer + PS), I created a series of experimental objects demonstrating the infinite opportunities to up-cycle plastics and discarded waste to bring them back into the production cycle. These objects have been created through a constant process of material experimentation. The outcomes have been dictated by the results of these experiments and the physical properties of the waste material. Through many rounds of heating, compressing, and juxtaposing different colors and textures, I was able to create a working system with plastic waste from my household.
TWO BAGS, A PAIR OF SANDALS AND A HAT
The two soft and hard bags started from many attempts to create threads from HDPE plastic waste using creative tools repurposing their function. The design concept was purely dictated by the material experiments. The final form and aesthetics of the two bags reference to a process based approach towards the material rather than pushing the concept away from where the physical properties of the material want to go.
The sandals were born from the surprising comfort and conformity to the feet the discarded hose provided. The pieces of hose have been connected with solely mechanical joinery using zip-ties. The sun shade was created from the successful pieces of a series of experiments melting hard and brittle plastic parts of an old and discarded printer. I used a sandwich maker to fuse them together and to form then into a bowl shape.
(1) Soft Bag
(2) Hard Bag
(3) Pipe Sandals
(4) Sun Shade from Printer Parts
©21st Century
Top