Polycycle Illumination – Lamps Crafted from Upcycled Plastic Bags for Ocean Conservation

Lead Designers Xuanhao Li

Entry Description

Polycycle Illumination is a collection of lamps crafted from upcycled Polyethylene (PE) plastic bags. Annually, approximately 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are used globally, with an estimated 1% to 3% of them eventually entering the ocean. Due to their translucent film texture, discarded plastic bags drifting in the ocean resemble jellyfish, deceiving sea turtles and other marine animals into ingesting them. This ingestion can result in digestive issues and death among marine animals. Polycycle Illumination ingeniously addresses this threat by harnessing the flexibility, translucency, and thermoplasticity of discarded PE plastic bags. Through upcycling, layers of discarded plastic bags are cleaned and then fused via heat pressing into flexible, translucent plastic sheets, which are then fabricated into elegant jellyfish-shaped table lamps with computational design, digital fabrication, and craftsmanship. The aim is to extend the lifespan of plastic materials, reduce oceanic plastic waste, and foster a healthier marine ecological environment. Polycycle Illumination not only functions as a lighting resource to embellish indoor spaces with its elegant jellyfish-shaped design but also cultivates a profound emotional connection between users and the conservation of marine ecosystems.

Sustainability Approach

Polycycle Illumination represents a sustainable approach to addressing the critical issue of oceanic plastic pollution. By repurposing discarded Polyethylene (PE) plastic bags into jellyfish-shaped elegant table lampshades, this collection pioneers a novel method of upcycling plastic waste to promote environmental sustainability.