Transforming plastic: creative designs talk by DOBA studio

Join Bartłomiej Urbański, founder of DOBA Studio — a community-based plastic recycling and design workshop in Edinburgh. DOBA's work focuses on transforming locally collected plastic waste (HDPE and polypropylene) into functional objects and large wall-based works called Plastic Strata.

Over the past few years, they have collected plastic waste from households, nurseries, and zero-waste shops across Edinburgh — often by cargo bike — and built small-scale recycling systems to process it locally. Rather than outsourcing waste, Bart's practice explores how communities can build visible, tangible circular systems.

This year’s theme Intertwined strongly resonates with this work. In forests, mycelium forms underground networks that support life through connection and exchange. In contrast, plastic also forms networks — but invisible ones — travelling through ecosystems as microplastics and entering food chains and bodies.

In this talk, we explore these parallel systems: ecological networks, pollution networks, and community networks. We reflect on how plastic waste is not an isolated issue but part of a deeply interconnected system — and how local, creative action can begin to redesign those networks toward regeneration rather than extraction.

The session will combine storytelling, material samples, and reflections from hands-on practice to spark discussion about what it truly means to live in an intertwined world.

This talk is suitable for ages 14+ and adults.

It is accessible to general audiences with no technical background, but it may also resonate with:

• students interested in sustainability and design

• community organisers

• artists and makers

• people concerned about plastic pollution and microplastics

• anyone curious about circular economy in practice

The tone is reflective, accessible, and discussion-oriented.

Location

This workshop is taking place in our ‘Climate Talks’ Tent, at the Edinburgh Meadows. If you need help finding the right tent, feel free to head to our info point or chat with one of our many friendly volunteers (wearing hi vis vests) on the day. A map of our site will also be shared on our website ahead of the event!

What to bring

We encourage all festival attendees to bring their own reusable bottles, cups & containers if you are planning on consuming any food & drink from our stalls during the day of the event!

🍴 If you help us reduce waste by bringing your own cup or container you can even participate in our raffle on the day for FREE, and stand a chance to win a £60 Refillery shopping voucher!

The festival

This free performance is delivered as part of the Edinburgh Climate Festival, you can find out more here:

Website: www.edinburghclimatefestival.com

Instagram: www.instagram.com/edclimatefest

Facebook: www.facebook.com/EdClimateFest/

Important Information

Please register to secure your spot on the day. Walk-ins may be available depending on capacity, priority will go to pre-registrations. 

We ask that you arrive 10 minutes ahead of the scheduled start time. Once the session starts we will allow walk-ins to join based on current capacity, so we can’t guarantee a reserved spot to latecomers.

Photos and videos will be taken by our communications team throughout this event, if you do not feel comfortable being on camera or having this content shared on our social media - please reach out to one of our volunteers or team members (wearing hi vis vests) the day.