Consumers have few expectations of cheap plastic toys; the moment they're no longer needed, they generally end up in the trash. The Melt Project attempts to underline this issue of quick toy turnovers and demonstrates how such items can be repurposed creatively.
Rui Pereira and colleagues have worked to cover furniture and assemble various household items out of melted down plastic figurines and knickknacks. Recreating the chaos of the toy box, the team puts pieces together that have clashing colors, giving the final products a whimsical and eccentric look.
A seemingly antique armchair and ottoman have been bordered in bright hues; meanwhile, every part of a Melt Project table lamp appears to have been covered with some only partially liquified pieces.
Scrap Plastic Furnishings
Melt Project Gives a Vivid Second Life to Discarded Synthetic Material
Trend Themes
1. Repurposed Plastic Furniture - Explore the growing trend of repurposing discarded plastic toys and knickknacks to create unique and vibrant furniture pieces.
2. Creative Melted Plastic Designs - Discover the innovative use of melted plastic figurines and knickknacks to construct eye-catching and whimsical household items.
3. Sustainable Toy Upcycling - Learn about the movement towards transforming unwanted plastic toys into functional and visually appealing furnishings.
Industry Implications
1. Furniture and Home Decor - The furniture and home decor industry can tap into the trend of repurposing plastic toys and knickknacks to offer eco-friendly and unique design options.
2. Toy Manufacturing and Recycling - The toy industry can explore opportunities to repurpose and upcycle plastic toys, providing an eco-conscious solution to the issue of quick toy turnovers.
3. Art and Design - The art and design industry can gain inspiration from the creative use of melted plastic figurines and knickknacks to create vibrant and unconventional pieces.