Artist: Carolyn Cardinet

In a world where the remnants of single-use plastics saturate our streets and beaches, *Bin NOT* emerges as a testament to the transformative power of art. Crafted over two years from meticulously collected plastics found in the urban landscape and coastal shores of Melbourne, this ensemble transcends its origins to embody the essence of environmental consciousness.

Assembled in vibrant rainbow hues, each section represents a facet of our collective responsibility to confront the plastic deluge. From discarded bottle lids to forsaken individual ‘single-use’ food packaging, every element serves as a poignant reminder of our dependence on convenience and the ensuing environmental toll.

Yet, this sculptural installation is more than a mere reflection of our ecological predicament; it is a warning, symbolising the omnipresent threat of plastic pollution that infiltrates our ecosystems and accumulates in our bodies.

The highlight of the piece is the integrated basketball hoop ring, which serves as a powerful metaphor for the concept of “what goes around, comes around.” It symbolises the cyclical nature of waste, illustrating that when we discard plastic objects, it doesn’t simply disappear but breaks into many small and smaller pieces, impacting the environment and daily lives. This added element underscores the interconnectedness of our actions and the long-term consequences of our consumer habits in the fight against environmental degradation.

*Bin NOT* beckons us to acknowledge our complicity in this crisis and to embrace the imperative urgency for making change in our daily lives.

This installation has been created entirely from found objects.