Waste Solutions Are Born From Revolutionary Art & Engineering

Understanding how art could provide solutions to waste started with Toni Hamel.

First, a painting of a woman hosing a giant pine-scented car freshener in the place of a real pine tree.

Then, a family of three watching intently as the wet paint on their wall dries.

Finally, a woman hanging geese in the sky with a striking devotion in her eyes that has only ever belonged to those who feel they are doing truly meaningful work.

These are all descriptions of various Hamel works that highlight that unspoken contrast we all feel every day- pointlessness and urgency.

Art is like that, constantly (and tragically) in need of defense.

How do you justify beauty in a world that seems to be collapsing all around us?

Well, because not only does art remind us why we keep fighting for peace, for endangered species, for beautiful forests and clean oceans- it is also part of the solution.

Hamel, Toni. “Seedlings,” Toni Hamel Studio, 2021, tonihamelstudio.com/works/. Accessed 6 July 2024.

The Problem of Waste Management

Speaking of contrast, let’s talk about art and trash.

More to the point, let’s talk about the fact that we are still trying to figure out solutions to what to do with our waste.

You know, how to actually recycle our trash, how to stop having so much of it to begin with, how to repurpose it…and how to not feel like trash in the process.

According to the World Bank, the world generates about 2 billion tonnes of municipal solid waste annually. That’s the equivalent of approximately 40,000 small cruise ships.

As a result, per person per day, waste generated averages to 0.74 kg, but ranges widely from 0.11 to 4.54kg. At least 33% of that is not managed conservatively.

In fact, on top of that, high-income countries generate about 34%- or 683 million tonnes- of the world’s waste despite only accounting for 16 percent of the global population.

Unfortunately, trends are only predicting more waste in the coming years.

So it’s clear we have to do something.

But what does art have to do with it?

While on the surface, artists might seem far removed from issues within waste management, their expertise is actually applicable.

Why?

Because artists excel in resourcefulness, playfulness, and emotional connection.

In short, new and creative solutions to a pressing challenge.

Danilov, Leonid. Pexels, www.pexels.com/photo/landfill-near-trees-2768961/. Accessed 6 July 2024.

Artistic & Engineering Collaborations For Waste Solutions

The best part?

The fields of art and waste management are already collaborators!

Let’s look at two examples.

Turning E-waste Into Art

In this project, led by the University of Edinburgh, artists and engineers collaborate to turn electronic waste (e-waste) into art.

Led by Professor Sandra Wilson, the team uses hydrometallurgy, a process involving water-based acid solutions, to recover precious metals from e-waste, transforming them into intricate art pieces.

This initiative highlights the value in discarded electronic components, reducing e-waste by repurposing it into art.

It also raises awareness about the environmental impact of e-waste and promotes sustainable recycling practices.

Flipflopi is a Kenyan initiative that transforms plastic waste into functional, beautiful boats. The project started with the creation of a traditional dhow (a type of sailing vessel) made entirely from recycled plastic collected from beaches and towns.

It raises awareness about plastic pollution, demonstrating practical and scalable solutions to manage plastic waste.

The boats are used for educational voyages, promoting recycling and environmental conservation across coastal communities.

Steps to Engineer Artistic Waste Solutions

So the question now is how to build upon this already-fruitful partnership.

Here are some ideas!

Facilitate Skill Sharing:

Encourage collaborators to share their skills and knowledge. Workshops, tutorials, and mentoring sessions can help both parties learn from each other and develop new competencies.
Pair artists with engineers for peer-to-peer learning sessions. These sessions can focus on specific skills, tools, or techniques that one party wants to learn from the other.
Organize creative jam sessions where artists and engineers can experiment with new ideas and techniques together. These informal gatherings can inspire spontaneous learning and collaboration.
Set up skill swap events where artists and engineers can trade their expertise. For example, an artist might teach a drawing technique in exchange for learning about a new engineering tool.

Funding & Resources:

Apply for government grants & programs for projects that integrate art into various fields.
- National Endowment for the Arts (NEA)
- National Science Foundation (NSF)
- Local Government Arts & Culture Grants
Seek support from foundations and nonprofits.
- The Knight Foundation
- The Kresge Foundation
- The Rockefeller Foundation
- The Ford Foundation
Pursue corporate sponsorships & partnerships.
- Technology companies: Companies like Google, Microsoft, and Adobe often sponsor or partner with projects that integrate arts and technology.
- Engineering Firms: Engineering companies may fund projects that showcase innovative applications of their technologies through artistic collaboration.
- Creative Industry Corporations: Companies in the creative industries, such as design firms or media companies, might provide sponsorship or in-kind support.
Apply for opportunities through academic & research institutions.
- University Grants and Fellowships: Many universities offer grants, fellowships, or seed funding for interdisciplinary research and projects.
- Research Centers and Institutes: Institutes focused on innovation, such as MIT Media Lab, often provide funding and resources for collaborative projects.
- Residency Programs: Artist and engineer residency programs at universities or cultural institutions can provide funding, workspace, and resources.
Compete in competitions and participate in challenges.
- Innovation challenges.
- Art & Tech Competitions
Use crowdfunding platforms to raise funds for creative projects.
- Kickstarter
- Indiegogo
- Patreon:

In Conclusion…

Ultimately, the intersection of art and waste management offers a transformative approach to the current challenges faced by waste management.

However, by infusing creativity and innovation into the traditionally technical field of waste management, artists can inspire new perspectives and solutions that are both effective and engaging.

As a result, artistic endeavors can turn waste into valuable resources, create public awareness through thought-provoking installations, and foster a culture of sustainability.

As we continue to seek holistic and innovative strategies for managing waste, the collaboration between artists and engineers stands out as a powerful paradigm, demonstrating that creativity and science together can lead to a more sustainable and beautiful world.

Thought to Action

Engage in Creative Hobbies: Pursue artistic activities such as painting, writing, or playing music to stimulate your creative thinking, which can be applied to problem-solving in your professional life.
Adopt Design Thinking: Use design thinking methods in your work or personal projects to approach problems with a user-centered and innovative mindset. This involves empathizing, defining, ideating, prototyping, and testing.
Practice and Promote Recycling and Upcycling: Actively recycle and upcycle materials in your daily life and encourage others to do the same. Participate in or organize workshops that teach upcycling skills.
1. Try TerraCycle to up your recycling game!
Support Sustainable Brands: Choose to buy products from companies that prioritize sustainability and have circular economy practices. Research and share information about these brands to help others make informed choices. Here are some brands to start with:
1. Eileen Fisher
2. Patagonia
Further Reading:
1. Upcycle That Blog: https://upcyclethat.com/
2. Earth 911: https://earth911.com/
3. The Ellen MacArthur’s Guide to a Circular Economy: https://www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/publications

Sources

Colossal. “Colossal.” Colossal, 2022, www.thisiscolossal.com/. Accessed 7 July 2024.

“Earth911.” Earth911, 2018, earth911.com/. Accessed 7 July 2024.

“Flipflopi Turns Plastic Waste into Beautiful Kenyan Boats.” Inhabitat – Green Design, Innovation, Architecture, Green Building | Green Design & Innovation for a Better World, 21 June 2022, inhabitat.com/flipflopi-turns-plastic-waste-into-beautiful-kenyan-boats/. Accessed 7 July 2024.

“Home | Upcycle That.” Upcycle That, Dec. 2023, upcyclethat.com/. Accessed 7 July 2024.

Howarth, Dan. “Dezeen Magazine.” Dezeen, Dezeen, 6 July 2024, www.dezeen.com/. Accessed 7 July 2024.

https://www.facebook.com/toni.hamel.artist. “About Toni Hamel.” Toni Hamel Studio, 2014, tonihamelstudio.com/about/. Accessed 7 July 2024.

McDermott, Erin. “Scottish Maker Uses E-Waste from Old Tech to Make Startling Pieces of Art.” The Herald, The Herald, 30 Mar. 2022, www.heraldscotland.com/news/20030877.scottish-maker-uses-e-waste-old-tech-make-startling-pieces-art/. Accessed 7 July 2024.

“Publications.” Ellenmacarthurfoundation.org, 2024, www.ellenmacarthurfoundation.org/publications. Accessed 7 July 2024.

“The Recycler.” The Recycler, 2020, www.therecycler.com/. Accessed 7 July 2024.

“Trends in Solid Waste Management.” Worldbank.org, 2016, datatopics.worldbank.org/what-a-waste/trends_in_solid_waste_management.html. Accessed 7 July 2024.