RoPlastic Prize 2023 winners announced during Milan Design Week 2023

Now in its fifth edition, RoGUILTLESSPLASTIC has announced the winners of the RoPlastic Prize 2023. The ever-growing international project, spearheaded by Rossana Orlandi and Nicoletta Orlandi Brugnoni aims to involve the design community in raising awareness of the importance of recycling, reusing and upcycling materials. The success of the project is evident in the number of applications received; 600 applications from 73 countries. An exhibition featuring the finalist's works was curated by Nicoletta Orlandi Brugnoni, in the RoDistrict at Palazzo Bandello, during Milan Design Week 2023.

After an intense jury process, the RoPlastic Prize was awarded at an engaging ceremony on April 20 at Triennale Milano. Opened with a greeting from Stefano Boeri, Rossana Orlandi and Nicoletta Orlandi Brugnoni inviting the various protagonists to share the stage with them: from prizers to jurors, from partners to endorsers.

ART AND COLLECTIBLE DESIGN
Official Category Partner F.LLI GUZZINI

The volume of plastic produced and disposed of has fallen significantly in recent years, thanks to widespread awareness campaigns. An essential aspect of this category is to create works that are able to harness interest within the world of international collecting, art and design. The winner in this category was Giò Minelli (Italy) with KEMEL COLLECTION and Carmelo Zappulla (Italy) with Pure Plants. Joint second place went to Amleto Picerno Ceraso(Italy) for Mediterranea, and Marie Aigner (Germany) and her Knock-Out collection. Another tie for third place saw two Italians winning; CAPitoli Urbani signed by the techno-creative team led by Gruppo Cap with Andrea Zambelli and Martinelli Venezia. The other third-place win was awarded to Accumulation of We aRe Plastic signed by Elisa Cantarelli.

Special mentions in this category included The Door of OUTSIDE-IN by Alessandro Ciffo; SKIN by Sargomma SB, Daria Biryukova; The Deer. Imperfect Beauty. by Elena Khryashcheva (Russia); Parnupple Siblings signed by Lyle Reimer (Canada); Plastic âgée by Piergiorgio Robino (Italy); 3rd Smurf Dynasty Ming vase designed by Diederik Schneemann; Recycled p.e.t. & rattan of Marieke van Heck both based in the Netherland; Recycled plastic tiles, mimicking different types of natural stones, the project of Dagmar Zvonickova (United Kingdom). This category was endorsed by Francesco Zurlo, Dean of School of Design - Politecnico di Milano.

EMERGING HIGH TECHNOLOGY
Official Category Partner Gruppo CAP

With The world’s catastrophic levels of pollution, there has been a global move towards research into innovative technological projects and products, that can turn our waste problem into an opportunity. For this category, researchers, students, universities, companies and industries are asked to submit new and emerging innovative research and/or industrial projects, based on a proactive approach. Featuring significant and experimental high-tech prototypes, the projects in this category contemplate the reuse of production waste and the reduction of emissions, to present environment and climate-friendly solutions.

The first-place winner was Cristian Fracassi (Italy) with Letizia. Second place went to Innovative green technology in water recycling by Giancarlo Cravotto. In third place was CITROEN Italy with CITROËN OLI [all-ë]: RADICAL, RESPONSIBLE AND OPTIMISTIC APPROACH TO MOBILITY.

Special mentions in this category went to The Soothing Cup, studied and elaborated by Lucrezia Alessandroni; LU the project by architect Lucio Micheletti; CHAIR N°ONE by Martin Oberhauser and  OTO Chair designed by Alessandro Stabile; YiBrick Handmade Brick designed by Caroline Cheng from China. This category was endorsed by Giovanni de Niderhausern, Senior Vice President Pininfarina Architecture.

INSPIRING LEARNING PROJECTS
Official Category Partner GIMAC

The circular economy generated by re-Waste is the key to this category. The research, production and industry sectors worldwide urgently need projects to spread awareness and knowledge. The idea is to motivate, stimulate and inspire new generations of students to choose technical and professional paths on this issue. To bring about this transition, RoPlastic chose to prompt re-Waste education within the current school system,

The first place was awarded to Adriana Kováčová (Czech Republic) with TOTEMO, a toy for expanding creativity and Cantieri Creativi (Italy) for their Artisans Of Now project. Three joint second places were awarded to SOL - A Jumping rope capable of producing energy by Antonio Queirós Usluel Yağız (Portugal); Dynamo Art Factory based in Italy with Recycling for Good and Arthur Grethen & Léo Sprimont from Belgium with VAU.R308. The third place was given to DIY BAMBOO FIBERS from a single-use bamboo chopstick by Marco Ciacci (Italy) and Nontalo by Eneris Collective (Spain).

The two special mentions in this category were given to Yen Chang (China) with Powerful Energy and Gabriele Giusto (Italy) for Virtuoso. This category was endorsed by Benedict Hobson, co-CEO of Dezeen.

STIR’s coverage of Milan Design Week 2023 showcases the best exhibitions, studios, designers, installations, brands, and special projects to look out for. Explore Euroluce 2023 and all the design districts—5Vie Art and Design, Brera Design District, Fuorisalone, Isola Design District, Tortona District, and Milano Design District—with us.