An Experimental Research on Upcycling of Waste Plastic Bags in Weaving Design

Today, humanity is faced with plastic bag wastes caused by industrial applications and unconscious use that have become widespread over the last century. These bags, which have become a global problem, negatively affect the environment and human health with the chemicals in their structure. In addition, since plastic bags do not have to be upcycled and are considered as garbage, they are mostly not upcycled. However, today's environmental conditions necessitate upcycling for sustainable life. In this context, it is aimed to use the waste plastic bags directly through woven design, and to use the resulting textural product as a textile surface and dividing element in interiors. In this respect, after the literature review, experimental surface research was carried out with plastic bags on the traditional vertical weaving loom in the weaving process and the ones with high texture effects were selected and woven in large sizes. The concept of texture, which is one of the basic elements of design, is directly related to weaving. Even if the eyes are closed, objects can be distinguished by touch and therefore affect the person sensually and emotionally. In this regard, in order for the plastic bag texture to be in the foreground, the number of warp was drawn infrequently and plastic bags cut into strips were used in the weft insertion. The plastic bag is enriched in textural terms by combining materials such as paper and copper wire from time to time to ensure aesthetic integrity. While it is thought that this experimental study for the upcycling of plastic bags can reduce the pollution caused by the bags to a certain extent, it is hoped that new ideas about upcycling will cause an environmental awareness in the society