Working in the field of plastic recycling with my company, Trash is Nice, we commit to turn plastic waste into valuable and unique objects. The process of plastic recycling is not an easy one, as it requires different organized steps as well as specific techniques and knowledge, not ignoring the fact that it’s a chemical material that needs to be processed carefully and following specific safety guidelines.
We define ourselves as Plastic Handcrafters, with the aim to actualize the vision carried on this material and the way to process it. Plastic being an industrially produced material, we might tend to believe at first that it can only be processed again the same way. But I find depth in the words written by William McDonough in Cradle to Cradle - “Everything we have, we can use in a different way. Waste is not waste; it’s simply a material in the wrong place."
Deconstructing the idea that a waste is a forever useless thing, I found out that this sentence applies quite well to what we’re doing when recycling plastic. This material is all around us, boasting incredible properties that, paradoxically, make it both highly versatile and difficult to manage as waste. Its durability, flexibility, and ability to be reshaped, combined with the endless variety of colors and types, have given it a significant role in our daily lives—yet these same qualities also make it challenging to recycle and properly dispose of.
Taking the time to learn how to work with plastic, shaping our understanding of it like a cabinet maker or ceramist would with their own medium, has been a journey of experimentation and discovery. We have experimented, failed, and eventually succeeded in creating something meaningful. Having worked with plastic for over five years, I have found that it is a craft with its own techniques, capacities, limitations, and tools.
I believe it’s the craft of the 21st century, with hundreds of small-scale workshops developing around the world, largely thanks to Precious Plastic, the open-source platform created in 2013. Its founder, Dave Hakkens, said of Precious Plastic, "The idea is to empower people to think differently about plastic, to show that this material can be something good, something valuable when used properly, and not just something harmful to the environment."
Since then, it has reached tens of thousands of people globally, and as of 2024, more than 700 plastic recycling workshops have been established in various countries. What is particularly interesting is how this concept has evolved organically over the years. The way it takes shape, the creations made, and the expertise gained vary significantly depending on the local context. Each of these workshops is unique in terms of size, the types of plastic waste collected, access to technology and machines, and energy resources.
As we continue to explore the potential of plastic as a craft material, we are reminded that real change often comes from small, localized actions—workshops, makers, and communities all experimenting, learning, and sharing their knowledge. This collective effort reflects a growing movement that challenges the status quo of how we view and use plastic.
By embracing a slower, more thoughtful approach to design and production, we reconnect with the essence of making—seeing materials not just for what they are, but for what they can become.
In Cambodia, this approach feels especially relevant. The country faces significant plastic waste challenges, with Phnom Penh alone generating thousands of tons of plastic waste each year. Much of this waste ends up in landfills or polluting waterways, presenting a serious environmental issue. Cambodia’s rich tradition of craftsmanship provides fertile ground for this vision, blending traditional handcrafting skills with modern techniques of recycling and design.
In a world that often prioritizes speed, mass production, and disposability, there is something profoundly radical in choosing to go slow, to craft with intention, and to see potential where others see waste. This is the essence of our work and our vision for the future—a future where we, as designers, makers, and entrepreneurs, craft not only products but also new possibilities for our world.
As we move forward, the challenge remains: How can we continue to innovate, inspire, and empower more people to see the value in the materials that surround us? The answer, perhaps, lies in embracing the idea that every piece of plastic, every object, and every person has a role to play in creating a more sustainable and thoughtful world.
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