I'm pretty sure 'skips' are a British thing, so let me explain what happens if you hire a skip over here: You rent a trash dumpster and then, mysteriously, overnight it becomes filled with everyone else's junk, often with really random things like old mannequins. You then have to pay for another trash dumpster that actually gets rid of your rubbish. Oh the irony. It’s a whole ethical minefield like ‘borrowing’ your neighbors WiFi.
Anyway, this series of photographs really amuses me. You never get to use a skip for what you want, so why not think of other uses?
This creative was done by Goldsmiths University graduate Oliver Bishop-Young who presented two projects about skips at New Designers in London. The first is a proposal for a website where people upload information about the contents of skips so others can salvage items they need from them. The second is turning skips into public spaces, and it rules.
"My work focuses on skips and looks at three main areas: exchange of waste materials, re-use of waste and making use of wasted spaces. SkipWaste.org.uk is a site that documents the contents and locations of skips, allowing the exchange of materials before they go to landfill," the uber talented Oliver says of his work.
Creativity With Dumpsters
Eco and Art Skips
Trend Themes
1. Skip Sharing - There is an opportunity to create a platform where people can share information about the contents of skips, enabling others to salvage items they need.
2. Skip Repurposing - Repurposing skips into public spaces presents a disruptive innovation opportunity to utilize wasted spaces.
3. Skip Waste Reduction - Creating a system, like SkipWaste.org.uk, that documents the contents and locations of skips can help facilitate the exchange and re-use of waste materials, reducing landfill waste.
Industry Implications
1. Waste Management - In the waste management industry, there is an opportunity to develop platforms and systems that promote skip sharing and waste reduction.
2. Construction - The construction industry can explore the repurposing of skips into creative public spaces, offering a new approach to utilizing wasted spaces.
3. Technology - The technology industry can contribute by creating innovative platforms and websites that facilitate skip sharing and promote the re-use of waste materials.