Plastic Circularity Pop Up @ Fabrica X

The Hong Kong-based store, Fabrica X run by The Mills Fabrica, recently launched a signature initiative to raise awareness about ocean plastic waste. This initiative showcases a range of sustainable brands offering products made from recycled plastic waste, emphasizing creativity and innovation.

The "Plastic Circularity: Trash to Treasure Pop Up" aimed to educate consumers about sustainable consumption and change their fast-paced consumer habits. It provided innovative products, mini-exhibitions, and experiential workshops in three key areas: Sustainable Retail, Education, and Experiential Discoveries.

Sustainable Brands

©The Mills Fabrica

Focusing on ocean plastic waste and plastic recycling, Fabrica X featured a selection of trailblazing sustainable brands, showcasing their products made from recycled waste or ocean plastics as raw materials. Brands featured include Fullup., Moral Bags, Selvaage, W;ink Atelier, Rising Lotus, Resolar, and OCIN, offering a range of timeless fashion items.

Thematic Workshops

In addition to showcasing conscious lifestyle products, Fabrica X also partnered with The Ocean Material Group to host several Ocean Material Recycling Workshops and a mini-exhibition. All plastic waste used in the workshop series was collected locally - from HSBC Clean Waterways Program's solar-powered boats and The Mills' shopping mall, which were then sent to New Life Plastics to be processed into flakes. During which, participants experienced the fun of making everyday products from rulers to coasters, using small-scale recycling machines.

Throughout the campaign period, a total of 254 workshop sessions were held, with 1300 participants in attendance.67% reported they are more willing to practice reducing, reusing, and recycling in their daily lives, and 73% said they gained a better understanding of the usefulness of plastic after the workshop.

Impact Measurement

Fabrica X hopes that its Impact Retail strategy can instill a mindset change in workshop participants through an experiential, educational, and sustainable retail model. Surveys were conducted to find out participants’ understanding and acceptance of different knowledge areas (note: there was a 19% survey uptake):

On knowledge gain

Participants became more aware of the issue of plastic pollution for the marine ecosystem, human health, and ways of tackling these issues from an individual capacity

58% of participants were able to gain more knowledge in four key areas of ocean plastic pollution – ocean plastic pollution, the impact of plastic on marine ecosystems, the impact of plastic on human health, and the usefulness of plastics.

73% of participants gained a deeper understanding of ocean plastic pollution and the impact of plastic on marine ecosystems.

On the intention to live more sustainably

After understanding the context of ocean plastic pollution in the world and for Hong Kong, participants showed a higher willingness to practice sustainable habits like reducing, reusing, and recycling.

Having learned more about the key issue raised in this year’s Impact Retail concept, 67% of participants said they are more willing to practice reducing, reusing, and recycling in their daily lives.

On promoting a circular economy

Participants understand that although plastic is environmentally damaging, it has its usefulness, especially when used in a circular manner. As such, participants are more willing to not only recycle but activity consider buying items made in a circular way, such as items made from recycled polyester.

73% of participants said they gained a better understanding of the usefulness of plastic after the workshop, which in part helped motivate participants (89%) to recycle more in their daily lives and express a higher willingness to buy items that are upcycled from plastic waste (88%).

On reducing plastics

It is equally important for Fabrica X to introduce the attitude, values, and mindset change that is needed to reduce the unnecessary consumption and usage of plastics. Through our workshops, participants showed a higher intention to reduce and reuse where possible.

75% of the participants learned more about the dangers of plastic pollution to our health through our exhibition. This in part motivated them to be more likely to reduce (86%) and reuse (76%) where possible.

In the long run, Fabrica X aims to catalyze a mindset change where an individual’s values and attitudes can lead to the intention to adopt a more sustainable lifestyle through a mix of educational exhibitions, experiential/hands-on workshops, and exposure to sustainable retail brands.

GREENEXT's Take

Fabrica X has taken a great initiative to raise awareness about plastic waste and its impact on the environment. Through their Plastic Circularity Pop-Up event, they aim to change consumer behavior and promote sustainable practices. Despite the long way that Hong Kong has to go in terms of reducing plastic waste, initiatives like this can help drive progress toward a more sustainable future. It is encouraging to see companies taking a proactive approach to sustainability and making a positive impact on the community. The focus on plastic circularity is a step in the right direction and demonstrates Fabrica X's commitment to a more sustainable future.