Due to the increased use of disposable plastic products, plastic pollution has become one of the most pressing environmental concerns. Callum Ferguson, the Scotland-based designer, offers a solution to tackle this problem in his new project.
“Plastibank” aims at solving the issue of plastic pollution, which, despite affecting mostly inhabitants of the Global South, becomes more of a universal concern. Callum Ferguson creates a possibility of exchanging one’s plastic waste for a financial credit as part of participation in a material stock market. Such an approach to environmental problems might be an indication of a greater, generational change.
However, “Plastibank” is not merely about the plastic pollution. The project addresses some more general issues, such as the relationship between wealth, waste, environment and the economy. These concerns, which underlie the functioning of contemporary world, are among the major Ferguson’s interests. In his projects, he frequently deals with reducing plastic pollution as well as creating participatory democracies and establishing connections between person and place. The aim of his projects is to enable a more sustainable and inclusive future. Currently, the designer works on developing ways in which intangible mediums such as light and sound can become tangible experiences.
“My unconventional solutions not only look to solve the intended problem, but also provide the opportunity to generate discussion on the subject and create new perspectives.”
Contemporary Lynx is a proud media partner of Łódź Design Festival 2021. We have been publishing a series of articles on innovative and talented designers who have been finalists of the make me! 2021 – an international design contest for young designers at the Łódź Design Festival.