the project
“We Love Plastic” was born with a clear purpose: to directly expose the contradictions inherent in human behavior in daily life. While the urgent message to protect and preserve our planet has increasingly taken root in the collective consciousness, it often clashes with the way we live in modern society.
Humans are, by nature, paradoxical. We express concern about environmental damage and pollution, yet continue to desire and consume products shipped across the globe within days, often wrapped in visually appealing, yet ecologically harmful packaging. A common element in much of what we consume is plastic—a technically remarkable material that has fundamentally transformed our existence since its invention.
Although the earliest forms of organic plastic date back to the 16th century BCE, when Mesoamerican cultures processed natural rubber, it was the advent of petroleum-based synthetic polymers that spurred plastic’s widespread use. Its popularity is due to its low production cost, versatility, moldability, water resistance, and excellent insulating properties. However, these benefits have come at a steep environmental price: most plastics are neither biodegradable nor easy to recycle, and when incinerated, they release toxic pollutants. Today, millions of tons of plastic waste accumulate in landfills and oceans. It is estimated that there is a floating “plastic soup” in the oceans covering 1.4 million square kilometers.
Plastic has become a major environmental issue. Yet perhaps the deeper problem lies in our continued fascination with it. Despite understanding its dangers, we remain drawn to its glossy finish, the lightness of a transparent bag, and the convenience it brings. The real tragedy may not only be its enduring presence in nature, but the unsettling truth that, deep down, we still love it.
