BinBagBooks (2017)

The first two BinBagBooks by Mette-Sofie D. Ambeck (Nov. 2017).

Each book is created from one Danish paper bin bag from Thisted council. A type of paper bin bag used nationally in Denmark until about 10 years ago when black biodegradable plastic bags were introduced instead. The type of bag used is one-layered, made from a nice heavy recycled stock. Often the bin bags were made with two thin layers of paper, which would have been of no use for this purpose. Thankfully I found 11 unused bags my mom had saved, among many two-layered bags.

Danish one-layered bin bag from Thisted council. Photo M-SDA 2017

When used as dustbins, the bags are held in place in a metal stand as shown in the image below – here photographed in the museum: Den Gamle By (The Old Town) in Aarhus. The use of bags are slowly but surely however being replaced by hard plastic wheelie bins all together.

Metal dustbin stand, Den Gamle By, Aarhus, Denmark 2019. Photo M-SDA

The first two books – Trash and Rubbish – were made for the Small Publishers Fair in November 2017, and sold swiftly.
For the Small Publishers Fair in November 2019 another 4 were made: Trash, Rubbish, Garbage and Junk – of which Garbage and Junk are still available.
The books can be used as note/sketch books or just kept as they are – piece of art in their own right.

Second batch of BinBagBooks by Mette-Sofie D. Ambeck (Nov. 2019).

Second batch of BinBagBooks by Mette-Sofie D. Ambeck (Nov. 2019).

Second batch of BinBagBooks by Mette-Sofie D. Ambeck (Nov. 2019).

Paper: Each book is made from one unused original bin bag (pages+cover).
Each has 120 pages of Danish brown bin bag, with print and pockets.
Stitched with hardcover.
Cover size: 17.4 x 12.4 x 2.1cm
Edition of 11, each unique – four titles used: Trash, Rubbish, Garbage and Junk.
First copy made November 2017, the rest of the edition not yet completed.
Launched at the Small Publishers Fair, at Conway Hall, Holborn, London, UK (November 2017)

In the public collection of Winchester School of Art Library: Special Collections, University of the West of England (UWE) Library – Special Collection at Bower Ashton, Bristol and Manchester Metropolitan University Library All Saints.

Second batch of BinBagBooks by Mette-Sofie D. Ambeck (Nov. 2019).