stefanie rittler constructs mobile foundry that upcycles old plastic bags

stefanie rittler constructs mobile foundry that upcycles old plastic bags
all images courtesy of stefanie rittler

german designer stefanie rittler has created a mobile factory that produces new plastic bag designs out of old ones called ‘streetplastic’. due to its mobility properties, the process can take place anywhere on the street, giving any urban area an improvised manufacturing line. the transportable foundry, not only gives the citizens the option of making their own work but also raises issues and paradoxes concerning the environment such as consumerism, pollution and recycling.  

video courtesy of stefanie rittler 

in order to get to the new designed plastic bag, three steps are needed. first the user needs to place a new white plastic bag in an a wooden frame. when this one is ready, the old bags need to be prepared by placing them on the manual shredder located on top of the foundry. after this the heating press melts the plastic and the punch gives the bag its form. the whole process is activated and guided by a conveyor belt with a manual handle.

the bags are placed on a wooden frame to start the process

a manual shredder placed on top of the mobile factory allows to destroy the old bags

then they are placed in the funnel for were the plastic bags will be melted

after manually moving the conveyor belt, the bags come out with their new design

different and original designs can be achieved 

‘streetplastic’ foundry being used by a pedestrian

designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

edited by: juliana neira | designboom