Every year, a staggering 500 billion to 1 trillion plastic bags are used around the world, and unfortunately, a portion of these bags ends up drifting in our oceans. Because of their translucent film texture, discarded plastic bags can easily be mistaken for jellyfish by sea turtles and other marine animals, which is a mistake that can be fatal due to blockages and digestive problems. Many organizations and product designers are trying to figure out how they can contribute to solving this problem.
One such product is a unique collection of lamps. If you love home décor that tells a story, the Polycycle Illumination table lamps by Xuanhao Li offer a stunning blend of art, innovation, and environmental advocacy. Aside from being a source of illumination, they’re purposeful creations crafted from upcycled plastic film packaging, designed to keep our oceans safer for marine life while adding a splash of sculptural beauty to your space. This Illumination project was born from the question: How can we harness digital technology and creative design to transform this waste into something beautiful and functional? The result is a collection of table lamps that don’t just light up your room. They shine a light on the urgent issue of plastic pollution in our seas.
Designer: Xuanhao Li
The magic of Polycycle Illumination starts with its jellyfish-inspired silhouette. Each lampshade is modeled using advanced parametric design, with original algorithms generating soft, floating forms reminiscent of jellyfish. Of course, these are the very creatures threatened by plastic pollution. The lampshades are made from knitted, interlocking units that are both flattenable and strong, blending computational precision with hand-assembled artistry.
But the story doesn’t stop with design. The journey begins with the collection of discarded plastic film. Think of those clear HDPE sleeves used to wrap fabric rolls in the textile industry. These are often overlooked in conversations about plastic waste, but their transparency and abundance make them perfect candidates for upcycling. The collected plastic is meticulously cleaned, then fused into sturdy sheets using a heat press. Next, a CNC cutting machine carves out the precise shapes needed for each lamp, and finally, the pieces are assembled by hand into luminous, jellyfish-like lampshades.
What makes Polycycle Illumination truly special is its message. Each lamp serves as a gentle reminder to be mindful of our material consumption and the impact it can have on the environment. The jellyfish silhouette pays tribute to ocean life and highlights the dangers posed by plastic waste. By giving new life to discarded plastic bags and packaging—materials that are difficult to recycle through traditional methods. These lamps help keep plastics out of landfills and, most importantly, out of our oceans.
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