This Is Rubbish
Recycling In Art & Design
Some Rubbish Facts!
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On average, UK households produced 30.5 million
tonnes of waste every year, of which only17% was
collected for recycling.
This figure is still quite low compared to some of our
neighbouring EU countries as some recycle over
50% of their waste.
There is still a great deal of waste which could be
recycled that ends up in landfill sites which is
harmful to the environment.
By recycling more we could make the world a better
place to live.
What’s this got to do with me?
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The choices you make
affect everyone on the
planet.
If we reduce, reuse and
recycle instead of throwing
away, fewer new materials
need to be quarried or
mined to make new things.
In addition, the vast majority
of resources that we use in
manufacturing products and
providing services cannot
be replaced and so will
eventually run out.
What will you do then?
More Rubbish Facts
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Recycling is an excellent way of saving energy and
conserving the environment. Did you know that:
1 recycled tin can would save enough energy to
power a television for 3 hours.
1 recycled glass bottle would save enough energy to
power a computer for 25 minutes.
1 recycled plastic bottle would save enough energy
to power a 60-watt light bulb for 3 hours.
70% less energy is required to recycle paper
compared with making it from raw materials.
Even More Rubbish Facts
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Up to 60% of the rubbish that ends up in the dustbin
could be recycled.
On average, 16% of the money you spend on a
product pays for the packaging, which ultimately
ends up as rubbish.
As much as 50% of waste in the average dustbin
could be composted.
Up to 80% of a vehicle can be recycled.
9 out of 10 people would recycle more if it were
made easier.
So what’s this got do with Art?
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The artist, Tony Cragg
created this artwork
called “Flotsam” in
1997.
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This artwork was made
from discarded plastic
which the artist found
washed up on the
beach.
So what’s this got do with Art?
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This artwork was
created by the
American artist Robert
Bradford.
The artist collected
discarded plastic toys
from ‘trash cans’ to
make this eight metre
tall sculpture.
So what’s this got do with Art?
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This artwork was
created by the
British artist
David Mach.
The sculpture is
made entirely
from old coat
hangers.
So what’s this got do with Art?
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Dumped supermarket
trolleys litter rivers and
canals. A Canadian artist
called Ptolemy Elrington
rescues them to create
these intricate wire
sculptures. These
sculptures are made from
cutting and bending the
trolley wires into position.
No other materials are used
in their construction.
Imagine A World Without
Possessions
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That’s what artist Michael Landy did!
In the ground floor of a temporarily
abandoned department store on
London's Oxford Street between 10 and
24 February 2001, Landy, set about
cataloguing and then destroying all his
7,227 belongings.
Each of his possessions was itemised in
one of ten categories: art, clothing,
electrical equipment, furniture, kitchen
contents, leisure, perishables, reading
material, studio contents and motor
vehicle. This process employed a team of
operators who each day set about
separating each item into its basic
elements - metal, paper, wood, plastic or
ceramic and so on, finally shredding or
granulating them. The result was more
than 5.75 tonnes of material which was
deposited in landfill sites around the UK.
What do you think his reasons were for
doing this?
Innovative Recycling Ideas
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Chiquita Chandelier
designed by Anneke
Jakobs.
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This design is a result
of experimentation with
Chiquita Banana
cardboard boxes found
in supermarkets.
Innovative Recycling Ideas
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Light designed by Bulbs
Unlimited
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Bulbs Unlimited sells kits that
let you create fixtures like the
ones pictured here from your
own recycled bulbs. The kits
include everything you need to
make these cool designer
fixtures except for the bulbs
themselves. A special bulb
marking template, adhesive
and “snaps” let you arrange
your bulbs into a variety of cool
shapes and sizes, including
desk lamps and hanging
fixtures.
Innovative Recycling Ideas
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Rugburn Lounge Chair
designed by Ample
Sample.
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This chair was
constructed from
discarded carpets rolls
which were attached to
form a stylish piece of
recycled seating.
Innovative Recycling Ideas
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Droog Rag Chair by
Tejo Remy.
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This chair is layered
from the contents of 15
bags of rags. It arrives
ready made but the
user has the option to
recycle their own
discarded clothers to be
included in the design.