From Amsterdam’s canals to your office: This group creates high-end furniture from plastic waste

Plastic Whale is the first professional plastic fishing company in the world. Based in Amsterdam, it fishes trash out of waterways and re-purposes it into circular products—from boats to furniture.

This year, eight billion kilos of plastic waste will enter the world’s rivers, lakes, and oceans, creating a hazard to sea life and humans. That’s why Plastic Whale has collaborated with design companies LAMA Concept and Vepa to create a line of circular furniture consisting of a boardroom table, chairs, lamps, and acoustic wall panels.

Part of the proceeds will be invested in initiatives around the world that tackle plastic waste.

Plastic Whale integrates circularity from start to finish: Not only are its products made from reclaimed PET plastic, but it also uses recycled steel in its chairs and textile waste for the cushioning. Moreover, you can return the furniture to Plastic Whale once it’s reached the end of its life cycle, so the company can re-use the materials again. It’ll even pay you for it.

The circular collection is inspired by whales—impressive beasts whose massive scale and slow movement dominate the seas with a kind of grace. One might see the spine of a breaching whale in the table’s detailing, its hardy grey skin in the upholstery, the curve of its tail in the chairs’ armrests, and barnacles in the geometric clustered lamps.

The furniture can be ordered via dealers with prices available on request. Email Vepa for more information.

Plastic Whale was founded in 2011 with the mission to build a boat from plastic waste. To date, it has a fleet of ten boats made from Amsterdam canal plastic, it’s hosted 11,008 fisherpeople, and it’s collected 105,105 bottles and 2,062 bags of litter.

Plastic Whale invites you to join its effort—whether it’s by going plastic fishing, spreading the word, creating your own product, or supporting its school programme. Visit Plastic Whale’s website to learn more.