Activist Hélène Le Drogou teamed up with Industrial Designer Alvaro Catalán de Ocón to create a recycled plastic lamp design that would address the staggering amount of plastic waste that pollutes the Colombian Amazon.
Inspired by the local artisan tradition of crafting textiles, the PET Project cleverly uses the necks of plastic bottles as an integral and visible part of the lamps. Each lamp shade is completely unique and combines the short life of a plastic bottle with the long history of woven artisan crafts and modern electrical components.
In 2012, with the help of Coca Cola the PET Project set up a workshop in Bogotá for Cauca artisans who had been displaced by guerilla war. Just last year, the remarkable recycled plastic lamp shade designs made their way to the 2013 Milan Furniture Fair.
Why This Trend Is Growing
- Recycled Plastic Design
- The use of recycled plastic materials in design is an innovative approach to address the issue of plastic waste.
- Integration of Traditional Crafts
- Integrating traditional artisan crafts with modern design and technology creates unique and culturally-rich products.
- Sustainable Lighting Solutions
- Creating sustainable lighting solutions using discarded materials offers both environmental and aesthetic benefits.
Industries Being Reshaped
- Product Design
- The product design industry can explore the use of recycled plastic in creating innovative and sustainable products.
- Crafts and Artisans
- The crafts and artisans industry can incorporate modern design and technology to create unique and socially impactful creations.
- Home Lighting
- The home lighting industry can explore the use of sustainable materials to offer eco-friendly options for consumers.
