Sustainability

The Precision Behind the Sculpture

IWPL is proud to get involved with a sustainable bench in Dublin: Restless: Liffey Love.

Turning Waste into Something Useful

The creative force behind this project is the internationally renowned Irish artist, Rhona Byrne. Her vision was to create a piece of art that was not only beautiful but also deeply connected to its environment. Commissioned by Dublin City Council and brought to life in collaboration with the Irish Nautical Trust, “Restless: Liffey Love” is the result of this vision.

Millions of pieces of waste plastic – of various types, formats, and colours- were collected from the River Liffey on the Liffey Sweeper, a boat run by the Irish Nautical Trust.

This raw, reclaimed material was then converted into high-quality, recycled thick plastic sheets supplied by Paltech Polymer Engineers. These sheets, the essential building blocks for the bench, ranged from 20mm to 35mm thick and were roughly 3 meters long.

The IWPL brings the Design to Life

To achieve the striking, complex design of the “Restless: Liffey Love” bench, Irish Waterjet Profile stepped in. Jason Connolly, Quality Control at IWPL, led this project, which took about three months to complete. “This was one of the finest projects I’ve worked on,” Jason says. “The precision and detail in every piece were incredible. It felt like putting together a puzzle — each part had to be just right to fit perfectly with the next.”

We chose to use advanced CNC cutting technology to shape every component with precise accuracy. This precision was essential to make sure all the unique parts of the bench fit together perfectly. Once the drawing is programmed—including the panels, seats, packers, and U-packers—the machine can reproduce the design the same way every time.

The CNC router can create detailed patterns and smooth curves that would be difficult to make by hand, ensuring that each piece fits perfectly and maintains structural integrity and visual harmony.

Why This Project Matters to Us

“Sustainability isn’t just a goal — it’s a responsibility we carry into every project,” says Charlie Dolan, Managing Director at IWPL. “Having the honour to contribute to the Liffey Love bench project is something that resonates deeply with our values. Transforming recycled plastics through precision cutting isn’t simply manufacturing — it’s a privilege to help turn waste into something meaningful, lasting, and beautiful for the community.”