PURGE — JD Whitman

PLASTIC PURGING

Plastic caps are used across all industries. Most commonly, they are produced for the food and beverage industry, as well as for chemical storage and medical supplies. Most plastic bottle caps are manufactured through a process known as injection molding. In this process, thermoplastic polymer pellets are heated and injected under very controlled, high pressure into a complex, detailed steel mold. The mold forms the softened polymer into the desired shape for the bottle caps. Once cooled, the mold is opened and the bottle caps are ejected.
In 2022, an estimated 500 billion plastic caps were produced globally just for water bottles.
Purging is the cleaning process of injection molding to clean thermoplastics molding machines and extruders. Purging compounds - resin-based products - are pumped through different parts of the machines. These compounds remove carbon, resin, and any colored plastic left on the machine. The byproduct of this process is a purge scrap. Purge scraps can not be re-used by the manufacturer and are usually thrown away.
Over a 4-month time frame, I collected more than 2,000 lbs of discarded plastic purge scraps from manufacturing plants and landfills. This material was re-melted, molded, physically manipulated, and modified into the sculptural forms pictured here. Existing as both art objects and educational tools, these sculptures promote discussion on Plastic Pollution and the Global Throwaway Culture.

Iridescent Plastics

9.8 Pounds Purged . 23” X 15” X 2.5”.

9.8 Pounds Purged. 23” X 15” X 2.5”.

7.4 Pounds Purged. 18” X 16” X 2”.

7.4 Pounds Purged. 18” X 16” X 2”.

4.9 Pounds Purged. 15” X 15” X 2”.

4.9 Pounds Purged. 15” X 15” X 2”.

4.8 Pounds Purged. 16” X 12” X 2.5”.

4.8 Pounds Purged. 16” X 12” X 2.5”.

5 Pounds Purged. 16” X 16” X 2”.

5 Pounds Purged. 16” X 16” X 2”.

4 Pounds Purged. 13.5” X 12.5” X 2”.

4 Pounds Purged. 13.5” X 12.5” X 2”.

6 Pounds Purged . 15.5” X 12” X 2”.

6 Pounds Purged. 15.5” X 12” X 2”.

4.4 Pounds Purged. 14” X 12” X 2”.

4.4 Pounds Purged. 14” X 12” X 2”.

3.6 Pounds Purged. 14” X 13” X 2.5”.

3.6 Pounds Purged. 14” X 13” X 2.5”.

6.2 Pounds Purged. 13.5” X 10.5” X 3”.

6.2 Pounds Purged. 13.5” X 10.5” X 3”.

Yellow Plastics

6.1 Pounds Purged. 18” X 12.5” X 3.5”.

6.1 Pounds Purged. 18” X 12.5” X 3.5”.

2.4 Pounds Purged. 11” X 10” X 1.5”.

2.4 Pounds Purged. 11” X 10” X 1.5”.

4.2 Pounds Purged. 14” X 12” X 1.5”.

4.2 Pounds Purged. 14” X 12” X 1.5”.

6 Pounds Purged. 16” X 12” X 2.5”.

6 Pounds Purged. 16” X 12” X 2.5”.

Red & Pink Plastics

6 Pounds Purged. 16” X 14” X 2”.

6 Pounds Purged. 16” X 14” X 2”.

134.2 Pounds Purged. 19” X 11” X 2.5

134.2 Pounds Purged. 19” X 11” X 2.5

3.8 Pounds Purged. 16” X 10.5” X 2”

3.8 Pounds Purged. 16” X 10.5” X 2”

2.8 Pounds Purged. 14” X 12.5” X 2”.

2.8 Pounds Purged. 14” X 12.5” X 2”.

Green Plastics

6.4 Pounds Purged. 18” X 16” X 2”.

6.4 Pounds Purged. 18” X 16” X 2”.

9.8 Pounds Purged. 17” X 20” X 2.5”.

9.8 Pounds Purged. 17” X 20” X 2.5”.

8 Pounds Purged. 18” X 14” X 2.5”.

8 Pounds Purged. 18” X 14” X 2.5”.

6.6 Pounds Purged. 16” X 15” X 2”.

6.6 Pounds Purged. 16” X 15” X 2”.

4.4 Pounds Purged . 15” X 13” X 2”.

4.4 Pounds Purged. 15” X 13” X 2”.

6.1 Pounds Purged. 20” X 16” X 2”.

6.1 Pounds Purged. 20” X 16” X 2”.

4.6 Pounds Purged. 13” X 11” X 2.5”.

4.6 Pounds Purged. 13” X 11” X 2.5”.

2.6 Pounds Purged. 10.5” X 10.5” x 2”.

2.6 Pounds Purged. 10.5” X 10.5” x 2”.

14.2 Pounds Purged. 26” X 15” X 4”.

14.2 Pounds Purged. 26” X 15” X 4”.

Blue Plastics

8 Pounds Purged. 18” X 16” X 2”.

8 Pounds Purged. 18” X 16” X 2”.

6.4 Pounds Purged. 17” X 15” X 2”.

6.4 Pounds Purged. 17” X 15” X 2”.

11.2 Pounds Purged. 18” X 17” X 2.5”.

11.2 Pounds Purged. 18” X 17” X 2.5”.

12 Pounds Purged. 21” X 18” X 3”.

12 Pounds Purged. 21” X 18” X 3”.

3.2 Pounds Purged . 12” X 11” X 2”.

3.2 Pounds Purged. 12” X 11” X 2”.

5.2 Pounds Purged. 15.5” X 12” X 2”.

5.2 Pounds Purged. 15.5” X 12” X 2”.

14.8 Pounds Purged. 13.5” X 13” X 2”.

14.8 Pounds Purged. 13.5” X 13” X 2”.

5.8 Pounds Purged. 14” X 17” X 1.5”.

5.8 Pounds Purged. 14” X 17” X 1.5”.

2.8 Pounds Purged. 12” X 9.5” X 3.5”.

2.8 Pounds Purged. 12” X 9.5” X 3.5”.

1 Pound Purged. 7.5” X 7.5” X 2”.

1 Pound Purged. 7.5” X 7.5” X 2”.

7.6 Pounds Purged. 16.5” X 15.5” X 2.5”.

7.6 Pounds Purged. 16.5” X 15.5” X 2.5”.

6 Pounds Purged. 16” X 10” X 2”.

6 Pounds Purged. 16” X 10” X 2”.

7.6 Pounds Purged. 17.5” X 15” X 2”.

7.6 Pounds Purged. 17.5” X 15” X 2”.

1.6 Pounds Purged. 11” X 8” X 1.5”

1.6 Pounds Purged. 11” X 8” X 1.5”

3 Pounds Purged. 12” X 8.5” X 2”.

3 Pounds Purged. 12” X 8.5” X 2”.

4.6 Pounds Purged. 17” X 15” X 2”.

4.6 Pounds Purged. 17” X 15” X 2”.

12.2 Pounds Purged. 17” X 20” X 3”.

12.2 Pounds Purged. 17” X 20” X 3”.

9.2 Pounds Purged. 19” X 16” X 3”.

9.2 Pounds Purged. 19” X 16” X 3”.

8.6 Pounds Purged. 24” X 21” X 5.5”.

8.6 Pounds Purged. 24” X 21” X 5.5”.

11 Pounds Purged. 16” X 23” X 2.5”.

11 Pounds Purged. 16” X 23” X 2.5”.

7.4 Pounds Purged. 19” X 21” X 6”.

7.4 Pounds Purged. 19” X 21” X 6”.

White Plastics

3.2 Pounds Purged. 16” X 12” X 1.5”.

3.2 Pounds Purged. 16” X 12” X 1.5”.

4.4 Pounds Purged. 14” X 10” X 2.5”.

4.4 Pounds Purged. 14” X 10” X 2.5”.

8.2 Pounds Purged . 18.5” X 12” X 4.5”.

8.2 Pounds Purged. 18.5” X 12” X 4.5”.

3.6 Pounds Purged. 12” X 10.5” X 2”.

3.6 Pounds Purged. 12” X 10.5” X 2”.

2.2 Pounds Purged. 12” X 8” X 3”.

2.2 Pounds Purged. 12” X 8” X 3”.

Black Plastics

8.6 Pounds Purged. 16” X 16” X 3”.

8.6 Pounds Purged. 16” X 16” X 3”.

11.2 Pounds Purged. 18.5” X 18.5” X 2”.

11.2 Pounds Purged. 18.5” X 18.5” X 2”.

12.4 Pounds Purged. 18” X 11” X 2.5”.

12.4 Pounds Purged. 18” X 11” X 2.5”.

6 Pounds Purged. 16” X 12” X 1.5”.

6 Pounds Purged. 16” X 12” X 1.5”.

Purple Plastics

22.8 Pounds Purged. 27” X 21” X 3”.

22.8 Pounds Purged. 27” X 21” X 3”.

4.2 Pounds Purged. 14” X 9” X 3”.

4.2 Pounds Purged. 14” X 9” X 3”.

5.8 Pounds Purged. 19” X 13” X 1.5”.

5.8 Pounds Purged. 19” X 13” X 1.5”.

8.8 Pounds Purged. 17” X 17” X 2.5”.

8.8 Pounds Purged. 17” X 17” X 2.5”.

5.2 Pounds Purged. 13.5” X 13.5” X 2”.

5.2 Pounds Purged. 13.5” X 13.5” X 2”.

6 Pounds Purged. 15” X 14” X 2”.

6 Pounds Purged. 15” X 14” X 2”.

6.1 Pounds Purged. 18” X 11” X 3.5”.

6.1 Pounds Purged. 18” X 11” X 3.5”.

6 Pounds Purged. 13” X 7” X 4.5”.

6 Pounds Purged. 13” X 7” X 4.5”.

2 Pounds Purged. 10.5” X 8” X 2”.

2 Pounds Purged. 10.5” X 8” X 2”.

1.6 Pounds Purged. 9.5” X 8.5” X 2”.

1.6 Pounds Purged. 9.5” X 8.5” X 2”.

Silver Plastics

11.2 Pounds Purged. 20” X 18” X 3”.

11.2 Pounds Purged. 20” X 18” X 3”.

7 Pounds Purged. 16” X 12.5” X 3”.

7 Pounds Purged. 16” X 12.5” X 3”.

10.8 Pounds Purged. 19.5” X 19” X 2”.

10.8 Pounds Purged. 19.5” X 19” X 2”.

8.4 Pounds Purged. 21” X 11.5” X 3”.

8.4 Pounds Purged. 21” X 11.5” X 3”.

5.6 Pounds Purged. 18” X 14” X 2”.

5.6 Pounds Purged. 18” X 14” X 2”.

Purge Assemblages

63.4 Pounds Purged. 136” X 24” X 12”. 63.4 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

63.4 Pounds Purged. 136” X 24” X 12”. 63.4 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

18.6 Pounds Purged. 72” X 16” X 2”. 18.6 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

18.6 Pounds Purged. 72” X 16” X 2”. 18.6 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

43.8 Pounds Purged. 152” X 19” x 2”. 43.8 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

43.8 Pounds Purged. 152” X 19” x 2”. 43.8 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

45.2 Pounds Purged. 50” X 44” X 16”. 45.2 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

45.2 Pounds Purged. 50” X 44” X 16”. 45.2 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

50.4 Pounds Purged. 55” X 21” X 15”. 50.4 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

50.4 Pounds Purged. 55” X 21” X 15”. 50.4 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

13.1 Pounds Purged. 50” X 15” X 9”. 13.1 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

13.1 Pounds Purged. 50” X 15” X 9”. 13.1 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

63.4 Pounds Purged

63.4 Pounds Purged . 136” X 24” X 12”. 63.4 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

63.4 Pounds Purged. 136” X 24” X 12”. 63.4 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

12” X 11” X 1.5”

12” X 11” X 1.5”

8” X 8” X 1.5”

12” X 11” X 1.5”

12” X 11” X 1.5”

13” X 13.5” X 1”

13” X 13.5” X 1”

6.5” X 5.5” X 1/2”

6.5” X 5.5” X 1/2”

13” X 13.5” X 1”

13” X 13.5” X 1”

11” X 11” X 2”

18” X 19” X 2”

20” X 14” X 2.5”

20” X 14” X 2.5”

18” X 19” X 2”

15” X 13.5” X 1.5”

15” X 13.5” X 1.5”

12” X 13” X 1.5”

12” X 13” X 1.5”

7.25” X 5” X 1”

7.25” X 5” X 1”

20” X 14” X 2.5”

20” X 14” X 2.5”

18.6 Pounds Purged

18.6 Pounds Purged . 72” X 16” X 2”. 18.6 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

18.6 Pounds Purged. 72” X 16” X 2”. 18.6 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

13” X 14” X 2.25”

13” X 14” X 2.25”

17” X 13” X 2.25”

17” X 13” X 2.25”

11” X 9.5” X 2”

11” X 9.5” X 2”

14” X 11” X 2.5”

14” X 11” X 2.5”

50.4 Pounds Purged

50.4 Pounds Purged . 55” X 21” X 15”. 50.4 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

50.4 Pounds Purged. 55” X 21” X 15”. 50.4 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

11” X 9.75” X 1.5”

11” X 9.75” X 1.5”

13.5” X 13” X 2”

13.5” X 13” X 2”

12” X 11.75” X 1.5”

12” X 11.75” X 1.5”

14.25” X 11.25” X 2”

14.25” X 11.25” X 2”

15” X 13” X 1.5”

15” X 13” X 1.5”

9.5” X 5.25” X 1.25”

9.5” X 5.25” X 1.25”

11.25” X 9.5” X 1.25”

11.25” X 9.5” X 1.25”

12.5” X 13” X 1.25”

12.5” X 13” X 1.25”

10.25 “ X 8.5” X 2”

10.25 “ X 8.5” X 2”

12” X 11.75” X 1.5”

12” X 11.75” X 1.5”

16” X 14” X 2”

14” X 13.5” X 2”

14” X 13.5” X 2”

43.8 Pounds Purged

When exposed to sunlight, the color of the repurposed plastic in these sculptures changes from light white/light green to blue.

43.8 Pounds Purged. 152” X 19” x 2”. 43.8 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

43.8 Pounds Purged. 152” X 19” x 2”. 43.8 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

15” X 12.5” X 2”

15” X 12.5” X 2”

13.5” X 12” X 2”

13.5” X 12” X 2”

17.5” X 14” X 2”

17.5” X 14” X 2”

14.5” X 15.5” X 2”

14.5” X 15.5” X 2”

15.5” X 16.5” X 2”

15.5” X 16.5” X 2”

17.5” X 15.5” X 2”

17.5” X 15.5” X 2”

12.5” X 12” X 2”

12.5” X 12” X 2”

15” X 12” X 1.5”

15” X 12” X 1.5”

21” X 10” X 1.5”

21” X 10” X 1.5”

12.5” X 12” X 1.5”

12.5” X 12” X 1.5”

45.2 Pounds Purged

45.2 Pounds Purged. 50” X 44” X 16”. 45.2 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

45.2 Pounds Purged. 50” X 44” X 16”. 45.2 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

18” X 15” X 2.5”

18” X 15” X 2.5”

14.5” X 14” X 2”

14.5” X 14” X 2”

7.5” X 9” X 1.5”

7.5” X 9” X 1.5”

18” 10.5” 2”

10” X 8” X 1”

12” X 12.5” X 2”

12” X 12.5” X 2”

12” X 9.5” X 1.25”

12” X 9.5” X 1.25”

9.75” X 6.5” X 1.75”

9.75” X 6.5” X 1.75”

17” X12.5” X 2.5”

17” X12.5” X 2.5”

12.5” X 10” X 2.5”

12.5” X 10” X 2.5”

13.1 Pounds Purged

13.1 Pounds Purged. 50” X 15” X 9”. 13.1 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

13.1 Pounds Purged. 50” X 15” X 9”. 13.1 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

8.5” X 6.5” X 1”

8.5” X 6.5” X 1”

8” X 8” 2.5”

6.25” X 4.5” X 1”

6.25” X 4.5” X 1”

10” X 7” X 2”

4” X 5.5” X 1”

8” X 8.5” X 1”

8.5” X 7” X 1”

8” X 6.5” X 1”

4.5” X 4” X 1”

11” X 5” X 2”

7” X 4” X 1”

4” X 5.5” X 1”

4” X 6” X 1”

5” X 4” X 1”

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Iridescent Plastics

Yellow Plastics

Red & Pink Plastics

Purple Plastics

Silver Plastics

Purge Assemblages

63.4 Pounds Purged . 136” X 24” X 12”. 63.4 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

63.4 Pounds Purged

18.6 Pounds Purged . 72” X 16” X 2”. 18.6 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

18.6 Pounds Purged

50.4 Pounds Purged . 55” X 21” X 15”. 50.4 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

50.4 Pounds Purged

43.8 Pounds Purged

45.2 Pounds Purged. 50” X 44” X 16”. 45.2 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

45.2 Pounds Purged

13.1 Pounds Purged. 50” X 15” X 9”. 13.1 lbs of recycled plastic and resin. 2023.

13.1 Pounds Purged