Plastic Recurrence: Transforming Waste into Public Benches

HIR Studio's Innovative Approach to Upcycling Plastic in Hong Kong

The inspiration behind Plastic Recurrence was the pollution of a local river by plastic waste. HIR Studio sought to raise public awareness about the issue by collecting household plastic waste and transforming it into something useful and aesthetically pleasing for the community. The result was a series of benches, each made by assembling numerous moulded modules. These modules, identical in shape but rotated at different angles, form curvilinear shapes reminiscent of ripples on a river.

What sets Plastic Recurrence apart is its community-centered approach. The plastic waste used in the benches was collected from the same district where the benches were installed. This cycle of taking from and giving back to the community is a key aspect of the project. The tactile textures and imperfect color of the recycled plastic give each bench a unique character, further emphasizing the individual contribution of each piece of waste to the final product.

The realization of Plastic Recurrence was a collaborative effort involving community organizations and local residents. Over a period of two months, approximately 500 kg of HDPE bottles were collected, cleaned, processed into pellets, and transported to a furniture factory in China. There, two steel moulds were used to produce the plastic modules, which were then assembled into twelve benches of varying lengths and forms.

The project faced several challenges, including the need to process the plastic waste in Hong Kong before it could be imported to China, and the difficulty of working with low-quality recycled plastic pellets. Despite these obstacles, HIR Studio was able to create a series of benches that not only serve a practical purpose but also raise awareness about the importance of recycling and the potential of upcycled materials.

Plastic Recurrence has been recognized for its innovative approach to design and recycling, winning the Silver A' Furniture Design Award in 2021. This award is given to designs that demonstrate outstanding expertise and innovation, and that inspire positive feelings and amazement. Plastic Recurrence certainly fits this description, serving as a powerful example of how design can contribute to environmental sustainability and community engagement.