Zero Waste Scotland and V&A Dundee launch eye-opening plastics exhibition
Zero Waste Scotland and V&A Dundee have joined forces to explore our controversial relationship with plastic through an immersive exhibition opening this weekend (Saturday October 29) – and, to mark the launch, museum plinths popped up in Glasgow displaying some surprising artefacts.
Plastic: Remaking Our World at V&A Dundee looks at both the history and the future of plastic: from its origins as a sustainable alternative to natural resources, to its meteoric rise in the twentieth century and ultimate contribution to pollution in the environment and climate change.
The three-month-long exhibition will give the public a chance to understand more of the 150-year history of plastic, to reflect on our own consumption habits, and learn about innovative projects that are finding more sustainable alternatives to the much-contested material.
To celebrate the inspiring collaboration of design and activism, Zero Waste Scotland erected displays in Glasgow to highlight how some everyday plastics can last for years and, in some cases, generations.
Items including a coffee cup, plate and cutlery, a reusable box, food container, and menstrual cup were staged in individual displays, with cards telling the story behind the items. Passers-by were encouraged to engage with the plinths and scan the QR code for more information about the exhibition.
Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland, said:
“Our relationship with plastic has long been a complicated one. What was once revered as a valuable, versatile material quickly became one of the main culprits of our throwaway culture and a large contributor to our carbon footprint.
“While it’s important we end our reliance on single-use plastics, if we’re serious about tackling climate change, we should also recognise that certain plastics can last many years if properly taken care of. Reuse is a key part of Scotland’s circular economy vision in which products and materials are valued and made to last.
“This exciting collaboration with V&A Dundee is a fascinating deep dive into the divisive world of plastics. It’s a unique opportunity for visitors to learn about the past, present, and future of plastics, while reflecting on their own consumption habits. We look forward to welcoming everyone to Dundee over the coming months.”
The Plastic: Remaking Our World exhibition at V&A Dundee includes rarities from the dawn of the plastic age and icons from the pop era – spanning fashion, architecture, furniture, and product design. It also showcases projects that are countering the impact of single-use plastics, from efforts to clean up rivers and oceans to the development of innovative materials like bioplastics made from algae and mycelium.
This exhibit follows Zero Waste Scotland’s successful Ditching Disposables campaign which launched last year and helped business prepare ahead of Scotland’s ban on single-use plastic items. The new regulations include restrictions on plastic cutlery, drinks stirrers, and food containers made from expanded polystyrene.
Sam Edmond, Partnership Manager V&A Dundee, said:
“We are excited to be working with Zero Waste Scotland and are looking forward to their week-long residency in our Plastic Lab, during European Week for Waste Reduction in November.
“Throughout the week the Zero Waste Scotland team and Transition Dundee will be on hand to answer questions about sustainability, plastic and how we can reduce, reuse, and recycle.
“From bin myth busting to single use plastic spotting, they will be hosting fun, informative, and interactive games for all and giving tips on how to live more ‘circular’ lifestyles which are better for our planet and our pockets.”
For more information and to buy tickets to Plastic: Remaking Our World, please visit the V&A website. Tickets range from £6 - £14 with a £2 discount if booked online.
Notes For Editors
Plastic: Remaking Our World is a major exhibition at V&A Dundee and takes visitors on a three-part journey, beginning with a large-scale video installation exploring the relationship between plastic and nature.
The second part of the exhibition traces the history of plastic from its natural origins through to synthetic material experimentation in the mid nineteenth and early twentieth century. It continues with the rise of the petrochemical industry and its impact on the scale of production in manufacturing as well as the concern for the planet that grew towards the end of the twentieth century.
Finally, the third section takes a look at contemporary efforts to rethink plastic and to implement alternatives, to reduce production and consumption, and encourage reuse of plastic.
Plastic Lab at V&A Dundee invites visitors to explore the promise and problem of plastic. Housing Precious Plastic recycling machines and hosting a dynamic programme of events, this free interactive space encourages visitors of all ages to learn, question, challenge, and act on some of the most important issues relating to plastic today.
From identifying the different types of plastic and investigating recycling systems, to exploring innovative new alternatives to plastic, Plastic Lab encourages everyone to learn how plastic has changed our world and what we can do as individuals, and as a society, to tackle the unparalleled rise in plastic production, consumption, and disposal.
Plastic: Remaking Our World at V&A Dundee is free for under 18s and supported by Zero Waste Scotland.
This is the first international touring exhibition co-produced by V&A Dundee, the Vitra Design Museum and MAAT, with curators from V&A South Kensington.
Visit https://www.vam.ac.uk/dundee/exhibitions/plastic to book tickets. £2 discount for advance booking online.
About Zero Waste Scotland
Zero Waste Scotland exists to lead Scotland to use products and resources responsibly, focusing on where we can have the greatest impact on climate change.
Using evidence and insight, our goal is to inform policy, and motivate individuals and businesses to embrace the environmental, economic, and social benefits of a circular economy.
We are a not-for-profit environmental organisation funded by the Scottish Government.
You can also keep up to date with the latest from Zero Waste Scotland via our social media channels – Twitter | Facebook | LinkedIn
About V&A Dundee
V&A Dundee is Scotland’s design museum. Designed by Kengo Kuma, the museum is at the centre of Dundee’s reimagined waterfront and is part of the V&A family of museums that celebrate creativity in all its forms from across centuries, for everyone.
V&A Dundee features world-class exhibitions alongside the permanent Scottish Design Galleries, and a changing programme of commissions, events and activities.
The new museum was created by Design Dundee Ltd with the support of its founding partners: the Victoria and Albert Museum, Dundee City Council, the University of Dundee, Abertay University and Scottish Enterprise.
V&A Dundee is open 10.00 to 17.00, Wednesday to Monday.
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