Created by DDB Group Hong Kong in partnership with Greenpeace, Seabed has been designed to open people’s eyes to the reality of the state of our oceans due to plastic pollution – effectively asking the public to sleep in the ‘bed’ they’ve made.

The seemingly luxurious Seabed with ocean blue bedding may appear inviting at first – but what lies underneath the duvet is shocking: a mattress made from real ocean trash found locally, mostly plastic items used in our daily lives.

Research suggests that up to 12.7 million metric tons of plastic waste enters the oceans every year. According to a study published by Greenpeace in Hong Kong, the city alone flushes 48,000 pieces of plastic out of Tolo Harbour daily.

Gathered by a Greenpeace volunteer in Sai Kung, Hong Kong – an area famous for its pristine beaches – the waste includes mostly single-use plastic from food containers and personal use, reflecting the reality that the onus to solve the problem is on every stakeholder of society.

Greenpeace and DDB hope to reveal the cruel truth beneath the stunning ocean by making the invisible visible.

Seabed is on display at The SEA OUR HOME: Artistic Exhibition for Ocean Protection Awareness at the PMQ gallery in Central District, Hong Kong until 16 July. Three local artists, Isaac Spellman, Maf Cheung, and resin artist Rolland Cheung, also participated to raise awareness of our oceans and encourage people to look beyond the ordinary.

Visitors are invited to make a personal pledge, aiming to promote widespread commitment to behavioural change for disposing of plastic.