Utilising Ocean plastic Towards Bespoke Souvenirs Through Digital Techniques

Tao, Xingyu

Abstract

One of the most significant environmental problems facing this planet today is plastic pollution in the marine environment. It is widely agreed that human and human activities are the sources and solutions to the threat posed by ocean plastic. This project attempted to address the negative impact of human beings on the marine environment from the perspective of tourism. The experiment explored the possibilities of repurposing ocean plastic by using digital technologies in an attempt to alleviate this global problem. After reviewing relevant literature to understand the need for addressing ocean plastic challenge and researching various plastic processing methods, the author proposed laser cutting and 3D printing as the two leading technologies for reclaiming ocean plastic into the tourism industry. No longer a new technology out of reach, laser cutting and 3D printing are widely used in many industries and even in home settings. The ocean plastic recycling experimentation consists of Polyethylene (PE), Polypropylene (PP), Polystyrene (PS) and Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET), collected on the beaches in Scotland. The project raised the possibility of these two digital technologies as the connections between ocean plastic and tourists. The author believed that the implementation of laser cutting and 3D printing ocean plastic would be sustainable, educational and economical. Through shredding, compression moulding, laser cutting, extruding and 3D printing, ocean plastic had been redefined as a new sustainable material of significant meanings that can be used in the tourism industry.

Citation

Tao, X. (2021, March). Utilising Ocean plastic Towards Bespoke Souvenirs Through Digital Techniques. Poster presented at Global Research & Innovation in Plastics Sustainability (GRIPS), Online

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Conference Name: Global Research & Innovation in Plastics Sustainability (GRIPS)
• Start Date: Mar 16, 2021
• End Date: Mar 18, 2021
• Deposit Date: Sep 29, 2022
• Public URL: http://researchrepository.napier.ac.uk/Output/2924890
• Related Public URLs: https://ktn-uk.org/events/global-research-innovation-in-plastics-sustainability/