The FINANCIAL — The plastic rubbish crisis facing the Earth’s marine environment is truly a tragedy of the commons, with a growing amount of manmade debris, including more than 315 billion pounds of plastic, polluting the world’s oceans, killing wildlife and persisting for centuries before breaking down. The negative impact of plastic on the environment was the main inspiration for artist Gerhard Baer when he created the Social Plastics concept. Together with environment protection Baer decided to expand the idea of plastic recycling in developing countries, in addition to contributing to fighting poverty.
In 1992-1993, a group of three gathered around the idea of re-using waste plastics. “Politicians had been coming up with some ideas but without any effect. So, in 1993 we created the first chair made from 100% waste plastic. We immediately gained huge success. The chair was displayed in different museums around the world. I did not stop at this achievement. I believed there was something more we could do. Then I took note from ‘Agenda 21’ from 1992 in Rio which provided information on what the world had to do for the next century in order to fight poverty, also the instruments and technologies that were useful for recycling. That was exactly what we could do and what we did. I decided to use this technology, go to the poorest people around the world and show them how to re-use plastic,” Gerhard Baer, artist and creator of the Social Plastics concept, told The FINANCIAL.
The FINANCIAL met Baer in Frankfurt, Germany, during the 49th Annual Meeting of Asian Development Bank where the artist exhibited his works made from 100% plastic.
“Plastic exists around the world. It can be found everywhere. In general, it creates big problems, as it causes pollution and not many people know how to properly handle and dispose of it. Collectors in Asia and in South America collect it to survive, but they do not get money from it. We decided to show these people how to use such plastic and create products out of it. We then sell such products. In this chain we are adding value. So, we give the collectors an opportunity to gain profit from their work. In this case all these people are getting jobs which bring money that can be invested in their communities – in education, schools, or for other purposes. That is the main goal of our project,” said Baer.
The art project Social Plastics has been launched in Mexico, Syria, Montenegro, and Albania. The project has been developed within the Roma community in Romania and also in Berlin.
“The job we are doing is to raise awareness of environmental issues among people. Currently everybody in the world realizes that there should be something done in line with environment protection. Here at ADB’s annual meeting, our project gained huge interest. Everyone has been asking us how they can do the same thing in their countries. We need money to realize all our projects. We are not able to finance all of them. So, we need support to complete the projects. This job can be done by an artist, not a banker or other professional. Presenting our exhibition at the ADB meeting allowed us to meet these people,” said Baer.
Baer believes that the Social Plastics projects can be launched in every country. Together with his team he is ready to demonstrate how it works. Meanwhile, some support is required to expand this idea. Financial, organizational and governmental support are the forms of assistance most required. The guarantee of the sustainability of his project is a further important factor in the success of the project. The team of Social Plastics needs to see that the project will continue in the following years and that they will be able to spread it throughout a given country.
“Our success is measured by the happiness of the people that are working together, that are creating something with their hands and getting money for it,” said Baer.
In Baer’s words, by having over EUR 50,000 for each project per country, they could start projects in a truly sustainable way. “I mean training people on site, also bringing them to Germany, arranging exhibitions, etc. The result of our work would be much better if we were to have sufficient financial assistance.”
Volunteers collect waste plastic materials. After that a big amount of time is required to clean them and prepare them to be changed into a different form. Baer and his team teach them the technique, which is really simple. Special equipment is needed for the processing, however, the machines are not particularly high-tech.
“We work together and create various things, mostly bowls. People can easily understand how it works. After that they can continue to work on their own. All the countries start including their cultural heritage within these products. For example, Mexicans and Romanians are cutting them straight. Later Romanians follow the contour of the shape of the pan, while Mexicans shred the material and make it with colourful pixels.”
“My experience with the Roma people from Romania is great. The fact is that they need money for their work. They are not prone to social engagement without money. We understand the approach of the Roma people who are eager to work only if they are going to be remunerated for it. In Montenegro and Albania gypsies are the main group that collect plastic. So, we see them as the best group to work with,” Baer said.
One of the most outstanding pieces of art in the Social Plastics exhibition was a plastic chair. This was one of the classic ones created in 1992. One chair requires over 10 kilos of materials to make. The products are made from 100% plastic, with the original colours and no added glue. It was initially displayed at an exhibition. Since then many chairs have been purchased by world-leading museums, like the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Indianapolis Museum, Denver Art Museum, Philadelphia Museum and others. Since the first chair we have never changed the design or style of the chair. The cost per chair is EUR 1,200.
“We are not aimed at mass production. Of course it is possible to produce bowls in China with the same materials. However, they would not be produced with the same background, nor with the same social aspect. If people are aware of Social Plastics, they will be ready to pay this sum for such bowls,” said Baer.
Selling these products at such a price is difficult in Mexico and similar countries. That is why Baer sees the importance of supporting them, assisting them in selling and involving them in his project. He believes that the project will succeed in the future.
The team of Social Plastics is not huge. Meanwhile, lots of people from different countries are drawn to the idea of the project. “We are facing challenges in professional management, logistics, fundraising and organizing. So, we have to work on these,” Baer told The FINANCIAL.
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