
For Cluster 3, the goal is to explore thermoplastics, a category of plastics which is suited for projects involving deformation, bending, and reshaping— could be perfect for creating a structure inspired by the principles of Peter Pearce’s “Curved Space Diamond Structure”.
Understanding different Types of Plastic Types
Plastics can be broadly categorized into three main types due du there different arrangement of Polymers:

- Elastomers: Flexible and stretchy, but unsuitable for reshaping under heat.
- Thermosets: Irreversible once hardened—they do not remelt and are challenging to recycle.
- Thermoplastics: They can be repeatedly heated, reshaped, and reformed.
We chose thermoplastics for their recyclability and workability. Unlike thermosets, thermoplastics can be shredded and reformed multiple times, offering potential for circular design. In our case, they likely have the greatest potential to advance further.
However, even within the field of thermoplastics, recyclability differs based on their molecular composition, which influences key properties such as melting points, densities, and mechanical characteristics.
When exploring the use of plastic waste for product development, a common question arises: Why can’t we simply gather all the plastic waste we find, mix it together, and repurpose it into structures? Unfortunately, the chemical structure of plastics with their modules makes this approach not ideal.

Different plastics have unique chemical structures that don’t mix well, much like oil and water. When incompatible plastics are combined, their molecules repel each other, weakening the material and reducing its mechanical strength.

Another reason is that Plastics melt at different temperatures. Heating a mix often leads to uneven melting: some plastics degrade, releasing harmful chemicals, while others remain solid. This inconsistency creates poor-quality products.
But what Happens When Plastics Have No Labels? Sorting Thermoplastics at a Small Scale.
The absence of labeling on plastics get a challenge when recycle or repurpose them. Labeling isn’t universally required, making it difficult to get for everything the right type of plastic. However, there are methods for sorting plastics.
One effective method is float-and-sink separation, which leverages the density differences between plastic types:
- Lighter Plastics float on water.
- Denser Plastics sink to the bottom.
By using alternative liquids with varied densities, plastics can be sorted with even greater precision. If you’re interested, these YouTube videos have been helpful in understanding this process.
Understanding Plastic Consumption
in order to choose the Types of Plastic we are going to work with.

To get a clearer picture, we examined plastic consumption at home, focusing on disposable plastics like packaging instead of long-term items like furniture. The most commonly encountered types were:
- PP (Polypropylene)
- PET (Polyethylene Terephthalate)
- HDPE (High-Density Polyethylene)
Interestingly, these are also the dominant plastics found in global and European plastic consumption charts, particularly PP, which is widely used in packaging and logistics. This overlap suggests that focusing on these plastics could help to find available waste streams.

Local Waste Streams in Vienna
The next step is sourcing these materials locally in Vienna. To do so, identifying key sectors that contribute heavily to plastic waste is essential. These sectors offer potential entry points for engaging with waste management processes.
- Logistics: Waste from packaging materials like PP pallets and crates.
- Consumer Goods: Common items such as PET bottles, food packaging, and plastic wrappers.
- Laboratories: PP centrifuge tube racks, Falcon tube bodies, and similar equipment.
- Agriculture: Plastic waste such as HDPE films for covering crops and PP plant pots or containers.
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Next Steps: Physical Experiments with Plastic
Shifting our focus to experimentation with a variety of plastic types and methods. Rather than concentrating on a single plastic type or product, we aim to explore how different types and sizes of plastics can be pressed, connected, and reshaped. We’re thrilled to make these experiments in the workshops of Precious Plastic Vienna.