Turning plastic trash into design treasures

Milan: Scientists and environmentalists have long warned about the dangers of plastic pollution, especially now that plastic trash of all types is choking the world’s rivers and oceans. High-end designers have responded by “upcycling” discarded objects into unique, desirable design pieces.

One Milan art expert has launched an initiative dubbed Guiltless Plastic on the sidelines of Milan’s premier Furniture Fair design showcase, commissioning one-of-a-kind pieces made by top designers from discarded plastic and hoping to inspire a wider movement.

Designer Tiziano Vudafieri poses under to his creation 'The Wilhem Lamp', made of recycled polycaronate, during the 'RO Master's Pieces exhibition' at Milan. (Photo: AP)

Gallerist Rossana Orlandi has curated an exhibition titled “RO Plastic – Master’s Pieces” of original objects crafted from plastic trash by such luminaries as Australian designer Brodie Neill, Italian Piero Lissoni and Dutch designer Piet Hein Eek.

The goal is to bring attention to the potential to transform and repurpose recycled plastic, some reclaimed directly from the sea. Patricia Urquiola, a Spanish designer based in Milan, made a “Wasting Time Daybed,” from upcycled plastic.

Design artistic director Barnaba Fornasetti poses in front of a paravent folding screen 'Fornasettiana Remix', made with regenerated polystyrene, for the ‘RO Plastic Master's Pieces’ exhibition at Milan. (Photo: AP)

The base of the daybed is created from an agglomerate of colourful recycled PET plastic. Its body, backrest and arms are made from recycled drinking bottles and the piece is covered with blue and gray post-consumer textiles. Urquiola said she wants to help upcycling grow into a sustainable system “in a playful but also provoking way.” “There is no such thing as waste, because time only knows reinvention,” she said.