Plastic continues to be a huge environmental problem across the world, and governments and organizations struggle to not only raise awareness but also implement policies that encourage conscientious practices not only in using but especially in disposing of plastic-based products. The fact that this material causes long-term harm to the planet is hammered into the minds of almost all people of all ages across the globe, and yet the ubiquity and affordability of plastic continue to be temptations few can conveniently avoid.One of the problems with the straightforward strategy is that it is no longer enough to just tell people that there is a problem. You also have to give them solutions or alternatives that would help pull them away from bad habits. This sprawling humongous mat in the middle of Thailands Laan Kon Muang Plaza, for example, doesnt just provide an eye-catching place for people to sit or stand on, it tells the story of the countrys plastic woes as well as the potential answer to those problems.Designer: MVRDVYou might wonder how on Earth did they make such a gigantic floor mat, and the answer is similar to that quote on how to eat a gigantic animal: piece by piece. This colorful Mega Mat measuring around 875 square meters (9,418 sq ft) is actually made of 532 rectangular pieces. These modular mats are woven using a traditional Thai textile pattern to create a spectacular yet functional installation for Bangkok Design Week.The sheer size of the mat isnt the only thing special about it, of course. Each of those pieces are made from recycled plastic, so you can only imagine the magnitude of plastic garbage that went into the creation of this masterpiece. Sadly, that amount is only the tip of the iceberg, as the mat itself testifies to the unfortunate situation of plastic waste in the country.Although the mats concentric colors were chosen to match the equally lively roofs of the Wat Suthat Thepwararam behind it, there is also a deeper meaning behind those colors as well as their position in the design. The outermost and arguably biggest red area represents the percentage of plastic that goes to unsanitary landfills, while the orange next to it shows how much gets dumped in sanitary landfills. Yellow denotes plastic that goes uncollected, while green is for the amount of plastic that gets recycled.Of course, visitors might not be aware of these facts unless they read the exhibit located underneath the mats solitary lifted corner, a design that also resembles the Wat Suthat Thepwararams roofs. That said, they might better understand how the Mega Mat represents a solution to the plastic pollution problem, as it will later be dismantled and the individual mats distributed to become temple floor mats, yoga mats, and even upcycled bags.The post Gigantic mat made from recycled plastic puts a colorful twist on a sad story first appeared on Yanko Design.