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I AM U at 75 Harrington Project: Pet Bottle Stripper

I AM U at 75 Harrington Project: Pet Bottle Stripper  ©VITRA DESIGN MUSEUM | PHOTOGRAPHER: BETTINA MATTHIESSE

©VITRA DESIGN MUSEUM | PHOTOGRAPHER: BETTINA MATTHIESSE

21 June 2015

Replicated from a Russian YouTube video, this machine cuts plastic bottles into strips, which can then be used as source material for weaving, crochet and knitting or to shrink wrap around joints between different elements. Applications include fixing things, building furniture, making basketry and textiles.

This basic technique is highly suited to the South African context, as plastic (PET) bottles are easily found as waste material, which can be reshaped into a multipurpose material with little energy required and at minimal cost.

Read more about the Maker Library: I AM U at 75 Harrington here.

Category
Commentary

Location
South Africa

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