Future Makers launches Waste Plastic Studio
When we established Maker’s Yard within our Trent Basin scheme, we wanted to support the creation of a community space with a strong focus on circular economy-based collaborations and innovations. Our first tenant was Future Makers, which this week has launched its groundbreaking new initiative, Waste Plastic Studio.
The Waste Plastic Studio aims to redefine the role of plastic waste by turning it into a valuable resource for art, innovation and sustainability, breathing new life into the discarded material and turning it into a valuable resource through means of creative expression and environmental consciousness.
The studio comes equipped with the latest thermoforming and plastic fabrication technology from CR Clarke & Co and Sustainable Design Studio, which will facilitate the use of advanced moulding and plastic processing when creating new designs from then discarded plastic.
As well as receiving support from Blueprint, the initiative secured funding from Arts Council England, Innovate UK, and Near Now, and is being led by Future Makers founder, Tristan Hessing.
The studio also aims to inspire the local community and encourage residents to participate in the initiative, with an objective of harvesting one tonne of plastic waste from the community and turning it into a public art installation. Future Makers is currently working in partnership with Greenwood Academies Trust, providing students with hands-on experience and educational opportunities in recycling and sustainability.
Samantha Veal, Chief Executive at Blueprint, said, “The Waste Plastic Studio will enrich the local community with skills and education, inspiring creative and effective reuse of materials in a similar way to how Blueprint develops its projects using the circular economy method.
“Future Makers and The Waste Plastic Studio go hand in hand with igloo’s Footprint principles, which is the golden thread through all of the work we do at Blueprint. Through his work at the studio, Tristan is rewriting the narrative around plastic waste and will go on to inspire a new wave of artists and makers in and around the Trent Basin area.”
Lee Nichols, creative producer of Near Now, added: “Our aim is to pilot professional and artistic development opportunities for artists and makers to engage with recycled plastic and explore its usefulness as a fabrication material.”
To find out more about Future Makers and the Waste Plastic Studio, click here.