Art installation on campus helps combat plastic pollution

The installation of two microplastic recycling bins on the North and South campuses is part of a broader, ongoing arts and education initiative designed to emphasize the importance of recycling and create a healthier environment for all.

The “art bin” installation project, approved by UB’s Public Art Committee, is a collaboration between UB alumna Nicole Chochrek, who designed the bins, as well as a colorful guide to educate the  public on the dangers of microplastics, and CEPA gallery.

The bins are located at Flint Loop on the North Campus and the Main Circle on the South Campus — two of the busiest spots on campus. By partnering with the university to place the bins in high-traffic areas, Chochrek hopes to spark quantifiable change and educational outreach. Plastics gathered in the UB bins, as well as others installed throughout Erie and Niagara counties, are used by Chochrek in her art practice.

“When I first started this project, I wanted to make microplastics and the reality of plastic pollution tangible. This work is a kinesthetic approach to learning that actively engages participants and ultimately creates environmental stewards and citizen scientists,” explains Chochrek, who earned an MFA from UB. 

Since the “Broken Plastics” project began in May 2023, more than 20,000 pieces of microplastic have been removed from Buffalo and Erie County.

Microplastics are small bits of waste, such as coffee cup stoppers, clothing tags, buttons and fishing line, that present an environmental hazard. Over time, the plastic in these small objects breaks down into microscopic particles that can spread through groundwater or air and be absorbed by plants or ingested by animals. 

In a 2022 study, scientists found microplastics in human blood for the first time.

According to the National Institutes of Health, microplastics in the bloodstream can alter hormones and increase the risk of infertility, birth defects, inflammatory conditions and cancer. By providing a place for the proper disposal of microplastics, Chochrek hopes to reduce this risk for future generations.

Chochrek has been collecting and transforming microplastics into art since 2019. This evolved into her “Broken Plastics” series in 2022. In this work, she discovered that microplastics and their impact are not common knowledge, so she set out to educate and involve the public in a meaningful way through her installations. 

By using art in the fight against rampant microplastics, Chochrek hopes to bridge the gap between science and public knowledge by making the task inviting and community-building. 

“Environmental disparities can be difficult to talk about without defeat because their impact is so great. I utilize aesthetics to spark curiosity, design to make information accessible, socially engaged work to create actionable goals that don’t overwhelm or induce shutdown,” Chochrek says. “I know that there is no single solution for plastic pollution; it will be a collective effort that creates equitable change, but this is how I have found I can contribute within my skills and strengths.”

Chochrek hopes to further extend her reach to inspire change, contribute to ongoing work, protect the health and safety of the community, and find equitable solutions for plastic pollution. 

“My practice is one that is rooted in research and critical thinking but expands in visual translations and tangible perspectives. So the combination of art and education was quite natural,” Chochrek says. “There is value in seeing things differently, and art can be a great tool for change.”

The bins are constructed in bright colors to spark curiosity and have a pocket on the side to hold a visual guide — illustrated by local artist Amy Dierdorf — to gently engage individuals. UB’s involvement in the project came naturally following a recent SUNY policy change to remove single-use plastics from its campuses. UB’s multidisciplinary Initiative on Plastic Recycling Research and Innovation (IPRRI), which aims to develop new, cutting-edge technologies for plastics recycling, has been designated a New York State Center on Plastics Recycling Research & Innovation by the state Department of Environmental Conservation. 

“The real joy was working with partnering organizations to host the bins, community cleanups and workshops throughout the summer,” Chochrek says.

Erin Moscati, sustainability education manager in the Office of Sustainability, led the effort to bring Chochrek’s bins to campus as a “natural continuation” of UB’s plastics research. 

“Hosting two microplastics collection bins on campus seemed like a wonderful opportunity to use art to promote environmental awareness on campus and support UB’s research surrounding plastics recycling,” Moscati says. “We’re interested in raising awareness surrounding the extensive impacts associated with microplastics pollution, helping members of the community learn about how to improve recycling processing and the capture of materials generated.”

But bringing the project to her alma mater was about more than environmentalism for Chochrek.

“It feels gratifying to return to my alma mater as a colleague and collaborator. I’m excited to brighten up areas of campus I walked by hundreds of times on my way to class. I hope that students, faculty and visitors will enjoy the new additions and engage with the work in a meaningful way,” Chochrek says.

Additional information about the project and its progress, including an active map of bins and calendar of cleanup events, can be found at Brokenplastics.org.