How can plastic packaging improve quality of life?

It’s always in the headlines: plastic is a massive environmental problem. Every second, 200 kilos are dumped into the ocean, and it takes 450 years to decompose. If the material lasts that long, reusing it is the way to go, right?

Rede Asta, in partnership with IED Rio, challenged students from the Furniture Design course to create sustainable products and solutions by reusing plastic. They have machines at their disposal Precious Plastic to produce pieces from this waste. They will also use the Cidade de Deus community in Rio de Janeiro as their research field.

Last week, the students visited the Criando Arte artisan group and several homes in the community to capture the residents' needs and desires, and to understand the available resources and raw materials. The goal is for the students' projects to become a reality in Cidade de Deus and potentially serve as a source of income. The waste will be collected, transformed, and sold within the community itself. When we combine needs with creative minds, it’s always easier to change the world!