Plastic Bags

Samuel Orlando

ARCH 5500: Processing the Anthropocene

Crocheting textiles from low quality, difficult to recycle plastic bags.

Plastic Bags

For every kilogram of plastic produced (based on fossil-fuel consumption), up to 3.5kg (7.7 pounds) of CO2 is released. It is estimated that by 2050, the global GHG emissions produced by plastic could reach 56 gigatons.

Recycling

LDPE plastic bags are notoriously difficult to recycle without the appropriate equipment. When integrated into streams that are not intended to process these bags, they can pose serious delays.

“They get caught in the machines [...] it takes around 30 minutes to get detangled”

-UVA Recycling Manager

Plarn

Using age old techniques of crocheting, plastics bags can be reused and woven together to create more durable, longer lasting textiles without the use of additives or binders.