Dortmund Museum Unveils a Plastic Ichthyosaur to Fight Waste Crisis

A Dinosaur Skeleton Made from 500 Plastic Bottles Is the New Star Attraction at Dortmund's Natural History Museum

"That must have been a lot of work," says Thore Hucks, 11, gazing up at the plastic skeleton suspended from the ceiling. "I think it's an underwater dinosaur because it has flippers. Maybe it's a meat-eater, too, because it has sharp teeth." The 3.3-meter-long model depicts an ichthyosaur—a prehistoric marine reptile that roamed the oceans 180 million years ago.

What makes this exhibit unique is how it was created: using five 3D printers, the skeleton was crafted from 500 recycled PET bottles over 250 hours. Artist Hendrik Hackl designed the piece to raise awareness about waste reduction, recycling, and upcycling—a pressing issue, as countless plastic bottles pollute marine ecosystems.

The museum is celebrating its new centerpiece with a special action day, inviting visitors—especially children—to experience resource conservation and creative reuse firsthand. Interactive stations let kids craft with discarded materials, paint, and learn through play. Partners like the Ostwall Museum, the mondo mio! children's museum, and Greenpeace are also taking part in the event.

Christoph Dreier traveled with his family from Olpe just for the occasion. They've nearly visited every station. "I think it's fantastic for children," he says. "We produce far too much waste every day. This shows what useful things we can make from it—and how long plastic takes to break down in the ocean." One exhibit left a particular impression: children had to distinguish between real stones and pieces of plastic smoothed by the sea. "The difference was almost impossible to spot," he notes.

Thore, too, is captivated—not just by the dinosaur but by the message behind the event. "The world is really polluted," he says. "We have to do something about it. That's why exhibitions like this are so important."