From Shampoo Bottles to Vogue: A Dragon Queen's Take on Turning Trash into Treasure!

Winter is Coming... For Plastic Waste!

As Daenerys Stormborn rightful heir to the Iron Throne Protector of the Realm and Breaker of Chains I've faced down armies navigated treacherous political landscapes and hatched dragons from stone. But even I Mother of Dragons am taken aback by the sheer amount of waste plaguing our world...or at least this realm across the Narrow Sea. I recently stumbled upon the tale of one Charlie Rudkin Wilson a fine art graduate whose creations are not forged in dragonfire but from discarded plastic. From humble shampoo bottles to discarded Nesquik milkshake pots this enterprising individual melts down these remnants of a consumerist society and remolds them into treasures fit for a queen… or at least a well appointed castle.

From the Dothraki Sea to the English Coast: A Woman on a Mission!

Rudkin Wilson much like myself in my quest for the Iron Throne is on a mission. Not to conquer but to change perceptions. She seeks to rebrand plastic from 'trash' to 'treasure,' creating objects so beautiful that even Cersei Lannister might be tempted to adorn her chambers with them! I must admit the idea of a 'Greek' soap dish crafted from yogurt pots and porridge containers is rather intriguing. Though I prefer bathing in dragonfire I appreciate the resourcefulness.

Recycling: A Game of Thrones and You Either Win or You...Sort!

Let's be honest the current recycling system is about as effective as a Dornish army in the North. A mere 36% of plastic ends up as packaging with the vast majority destined for landfills. It seems this realm much like Westeros is drowning in its own refuse. Rudkin Wilson recognizes this folly and seeks to revolutionize this broken system. Unlike some I understand that drastic measures are often required I would burn Kings Landing again for more efficient recycling.

Müll.Club: Where Dragons Breathe Fire into Old Plastic!

During the coronavirus pandemic Rudkin Wilson established Müll.Club initially as a store for refillable household products. She ingeniously added a recycling hub transforming old plastic into useful and aesthetically pleasing objects. Her soap dish became her best selling item a testament to her vision of blending practicality with beauty. I wonder could she perhaps forge a new Iron Throne from recycled plastic? One that's a little more…comfortable?

Valar Morghulis... To Waste! (But Not Today!)

Müll.Club operates from a studio in Margate accepting plastic donations from the public. They even track the journey of each piece of trash showcasing the impact of their efforts. This has attracted the attention of major brands including Lush and a luxury car company. Müll.Club recycled Lush toiletries into hair combs and is even working on recycling plastic bonnet linings into products for the automaker. Even Fortnum and Mason provider of the finest delicacies in this realm contribute plastic mesh to be transformed into trays and coasters. As Rudkin Wilson herself proclaims "Can you imagine that someone's yogurt pot that they've eaten out of is in Vogue ... just in a different form?" It is truly inspiring.

The Future is Sustainable: Fire and Blood and Recycling!

Müll.Club is expanding with plans to process larger amounts of plastic and create furniture. Rudkin Wilson is seeking funding to fuel this expansion and hopes to inspire companies to take responsibility for their plastic waste. "The industry will change and more private innovative businesses will appear moving the industry away from traditional inefficient kerbside recycling," she declares. Perhaps with enough innovation and determination we can break the wheel of waste and forge a more sustainable future. After all as I always say “I will do what queens do. I will rule.” And perhaps I will also recycle.