Precious Plastic Parsons
Organized in 2017, Precious Plastic Parsons is a community of faculty and students at Parsons School of Design led by faculty Dave Marin. Members provide workshops to students, engage in community outreach, and research plastic reuse and alternative materials. The workspace is focussed on material research and developing reuse skills within a design community. Precious Plastic Parsons is a member of the Precious Plastic NYC community.
Workshops
Workshops are provided to promote understanding and awareness of plastic production, pollution, recycling, and reuse supporting various Parsons courses. Students collect and bring plastic waste material to the workshop. They learn how to properly clean the material, remove labels, and then sort the plastic according to the Resin Identification Code (RIC). Material is then shredded and used in the extruder to demonstrate an example of heating and forming plastic.
Public Engagement
Events are hosted within the university for the public to promote an understanding and awareness of plastic pollution, recycling, and reuse. The events exhibit the efforts and work of Precious Plastic Parsons and highlight educators, designers, and professionals working within the area of plastic reuse and alternative materials. Events have been hosted as part of the Parsons Open House and as public programs such as RePlastic, an event with an exhibition, presentations, and a panel conversation.
Outreach
Outreach events promote recycling and reuse to groups outside the university. In the outreach programs participants learn about the categories of plastic, how to sort, shred, and reform reclaimed plastic. Participants are exposed to the Precious Plastic global open source project through videos and presentations involving the various groups around the world with examples of products and the possibilities that can be achieved with reclaimed plastic. Outreach events have been conducted with the United Nations International School and Adidas Run for the Oceans.
Fabrication
Developing new equipment to work with recycled material is an integral mission of Precious Plastic Parsons. Utilizing the facilities available at the university we are able to construct custom tools and machinery using our welding and machining shops along with our CNC equipment for custom steel and aluminum components.
Material Exploration
Exploration of making is one of the primary goals of Precious Plastic Parsons and the Parsons curriculum. In our workspace we are able to work with plastic in the same way we would with other traditional materials such as wood, ceramic, and metals. Faculty and students learn from the Precious Plastics community and test techniques first hand in the workspace.
