According to the Environmental Protection Agency, tens of millions of tons of plastic waste end up in landfills each year.

The Plastic Project is a partnership with the Departments of Graphic Design, Art History and Design and Community Sustainability. Kelly Salchow MacArthur, J. Won Lee and Allison Goralnik have all collaborated to inform the community of sustainability through art.

The focus of the exhibit, CARE. Not Convenience. is to collect used plastic bags, old vinyl banners and other plastic waste from students, student groups, classes, and the MSU surplus center, and repurpose and upcycle this material into art and design pieces. When visiting the exhibit, community members have the opportunity to create art with old plastic bags by knitting and crocheting strips into their own creations. Additionally, community sustainability students are active facilitators in the workshop to help participants learn about environmental and sustainable efforts in the community.

“Hopefully, 10 years from now, it’s not a discussion about sustainability in mainstream America for Americans to play an active role in creating change,” MacArthur said.