Milvia Romici

For the last few years I have been exploring plastiglomerates; small plastic 'rocks' that form when plastic debris melt and fuses with natural materials. They are mostly found on beaches and are created naturally or through direct human action where extreme temperatures occur. 

Inspired by the creation process of plastiglomerates, I make plastic rocks from discarded single-use plastic packaging to raise questions regarding the future of our world as nature “adapts” to plastic waste. 

My process includes gathering and recycling the plastic waste produced by the local community, including plastic bags from food packaging, milk bottles, coffee cups, meat trays, juice bottles, etc. For example, a coffee shop, a couple living in a retirement village, a family, a university student flat, etc. The size of the rocks depended on the amount of waste collected by the particular group over time. After gathering these materials, I shape my sculptures by fusing layers of plastic bags over plastic packaging to create different colours, shapes and effects. 

These rocks could not only be a real possibility in our future landscape, but they also speak of the volume, permanence and  environmental impact of our consumption choices.