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Can Art Shift Behavior on Plastic Waste? Insights From TRACE-P

Creative artists can help bridge the gap between plastic waste research and public action.

Collaborating through “COM-ART”, researchers and artists are turning information into action to support the circular economy of plastics.

In 2021, Nature reported an increase in the number of scientists working with artists. Products of these collaborations include artworks such as “Catching a Wave”, a multi-media installation focused on coastal sustainability. In 2020, the groundbreaking Transitioning to a Circular Economy (TRACE) with artists project combined creative art and scientific communication (“COM-ART”). This project was a collaboration among scientists, artists, and primary schoolchildren, centered on e-waste and principles of the circular economy. It centered on combining intergenerational influence with an artist’s skills to enhance scientific communication and facilitate behavior change.

TRACE-P: Pairing Artists and Scientists

Following the TRACE project, TRACE-P aimed to expand on this research, specifically regarding plastic waste. TRACE-P partnered an artist-in-residence with academics and children to discuss the challenges of plastic waste management. In this study, the “intergenerational influence” involved children interacting with art, thus influencing adults to catalyze behavioral change. One objective of this study was to discover how artwork can more effectively communicate scientific ideas to the public.

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Painting Sustainability

The artist, Susannah Pal, conducted many discussions with researchers from the University of Southampton about plastic waste management. She then translated the academic research into action-inspiring works of art. Pal’s work consisted of 13 pictures of coastal scenes that illustrated consumerism and the prevalence of throwaway plastic.

The project included two public art exhibitions and a drawing workshop event with the artists. Courtesy of Transitioning to a circular economy for plastics with an artist in residence (TRACE-P).

The researchers collected data from viewers of the artwork through surveys, questionnaires, social media, and Post-it note boards. Survey results showed that respondents considered plastic pollution a serious issue. Most respondents reported the artwork made them want to take action to reduce plastic pollution.

Pal used a tragicomic genre in her works to engage audiences without overwhelming them. Courtesy of Transitioning to a circular economy for plastics with an artist in residence (TRACE-P).

From Artwork to Action

Survey results showed interest in reducing plastic pollution, but they did not measure sustained behavioral shifts towards a circular economy. This would require more robust, long-form trials to monitor behavior. Nevertheless, based on survey results, the artwork produced in this study successfully educated its viewers. It created an emotional response and encouraged them to be mindful of the impact of their lifestyle on the environment. TRACE-P is an example of how artists can help expedite public inspiration and acceptance of circular economy principles.

As part of the 2020 TRACE project, videographers documented the process and interviewed Pal about the objectives of TRACE-P. You can view the short film here.

By Julienne Smith | January 21, 2026