This Is Rubbish Recycling In Art & Design

Some Rubbish Facts! 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? 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 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 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? The artist, Tony Cragg created this artwork called “Flotsam” in This artwork was made from discarded plastic which the artist found washed up on the beach.

So what’s this got do with Art? 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? 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? 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 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 Chiquita Chandelier designed by Anneke Jakobs. This design is a result of experimentation with Chiquita Banana cardboard boxes found in supermarkets.

Innovative Recycling Ideas Light designed by Bulbs Unlimited 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 Rugburn Lounge Chair designed by Ample Sample. This chair was constructed from discarded carpets rolls which were attached to form a stylish piece of recycled seating.

Innovative Recycling Ideas Droog Rag Chair by Tejo Remy. 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.