A look at Ro Plastic Prize 2022 winners of RoGUILTLESSPLASTIC international project

RoGUILTLESSPLASTIC, the international project founded and curated by Rossana Orlandi and Nicoletta Orlandi Brugnoni, continues to engage with designers and the creative community. A must-see at every Milan Design Week, this year was no different. While maintaining the central theme to give new life to plastic waste, the project has always focused on the transformative power of design, and its ability to explore its endless possibilities turning what is largely considered waste into usable objects. What started as an extension to the Rossana Orlandi Gallery in Milan, Italy, has since grown into a larger project. The Ro Plastic Prize is the international Award of RoGUILTLESSPLASTIC and celebrates the problem-solving proposals crafted by worldwide communities of designers, innovators, entrepreneurs, changemakers, creators, scientists, researchers, developers and communication experts. The projects featured as part of the Ro Plastic Prize exhibit an extraordinary potential to create an impact, specifically in the field of re-waste.

For the 2022 edition, the Ro Plastic Prize evolved its engagement with the project to identify three new categories. By sorting the projects into Urban and Public Design, Innovative and Tech Projects, and Educational Social Media, the Ro Plastic Prize highlights the importance of a multifaceted approach to plastic waste. An international jury of professionals and experts evaluated each of the projects in the categories keeping four key parameters in mind, namely - innovation, functionality, environmental impact, and durability. In each category, certain projects stood out.
Here is a deeper look at the winners.

Balance is Motion’s 'Foamy'
Category: Urban and Public Design

Foamy is envisioned as a second life for waste foam material Polimix, specifically from the local Czech manufacturer Yate. Balance in Motion (BiM) designed a small collection of furniture intended for indoor but in public spaces such as libraries, and hospitals. Using the limitation of the recycling process as an asset, BiM choose to work with segments of foams held together by metal frames. Using a modular system, the team was able to bypass the limitation of the current recycling process which can be produced in limited formats and sizes. The structure of Foamy also utilises recycled material, in particular, the bases and side panels are made out of recycled plastic boards manufactured by a local company called Plastic Guys. Another advantage of the modular design is the ability to replace a particular part or section of Foamy instead of the entire piece of furniture. A notable feature especially when one considers the reduction of waste is the modular replacement facilitates. In addition to Balance is Motion’s Foamy, Roberto Giacomucci’s project ecopakly was awarded the second place while Nada Elkharashi’s Eggo: [a perforated public canopy wall] was given the third place.

Davide Crippa’s 'FORESTA LIQUIDA'
Category: Innovative and Tech Projects

The Foresta Liquida© project was born from the experimentation of the Green Propulsion laboratory - Veritas of Venice to reclaim the air of the cities. Eventually transformed into a product of design by the researchers of the IUAV University of Venice, the project aims to address and challenge the problem of CO2 concentration in the atmosphere. The decaying state of our air quality has been the centre of numerous conversations. With the current threshold of 415 ppm (parts per million), already being exceeded in numerous cities and the current growth rate of 2.5 ppm per year, solutions related to air pollution are paramount today. Crippa’s project hones the ability of photosynthetic microorganisms to biofix carbon dioxide through the physical and chemical process of photosynthesis. Imagined as a product that can be installed in both indoor and outdoor spaces, of the city to in practice, it converts CO2 and release molecular oxygen.

Luigi Mandelli’s 'M19 (Machine Nineteen)'
Category: Innovative and Tech Projects

In a joint first place in the category of Innovative and Tech Projects is Luigi Mandelli’s M19. Born during the height of the COVID-19 crisis, the M19 was conceptualised as a potential solution to face mask shortage. Mandelli’s firm had the know-how and the abilities to try and build a machine that could be COVID and bacteria killer, and re-generate disposable masks. The advantage of this machine is two-pronged. In addition to sanitising the objects placed within, the environmental benefit of reusing masks instead of having them accumulate in a landfill cannot be ignored. Massimo Perusi’s Gravity - The Moving Wall was awarded second place, while Patricia Urquiola’s Nuez Lounge BIO received the third prize.

RPSD's 'Recycled Plastic Skateboard Decks'
Category: Educational Social Media

The Ro Plastic Prize recognised not only RPSD’s recycling technique to create skateboards but also their method of propagating and promoting their efforts. Having designed and built their own unique skateboard mould, RPSD can produce low-cost skateboards using recycled plastic. Traditionally skateboard decks are made from Canadian Maple, which is a large contributor to the species deforestation. Traditional skateboards are also expensive and remain out of reach to many, making them from waste dramatically reduces cost and increases accessibility. In addition to making the physical objects, the skateboard, more accessible, RPSD publishes content online from instructional 'How-To' videos to diagrams and drawings as part of their free, open-source, multi-media content library. Marcello Gaio Bondioli’s The Garbage Collection was awarded second place and Tobia Zambotti & Aleksi Saastamoinen’s COAT-19 came in third.

STIR takes you on a Milanese sojourn! Experience Salone del Mobile and all the design districts - 5vie, Brera, Fuorisalone, Isola, Zona Tortona, and Durini - with us. STIR’s coverage of Milan Design Week 2022, Meanwhile in Milan showcases the best exhibits, moods, studios, events, and folks to look out for. We are also excited to announce our very own STIR press booth at Salone del Mobile - Hall 5/7 S.14, Fiera Milano RHO.