The results are in for the 5th Trash to Treasure Art & Design Contest, held under the theme "Biodiversity" — celebrating the vibrant connection between discarded materials and environmental art. The annual competition, now in its fifth edition, continues to inspire youth to transform everyday waste into art and design pieces that not only express creativity but also communicate powerful messages about sustainability.
Organized as part of Sustainability Expo 2024 (SX2024) — the largest sustainability event in ASEAN — the contest featured both 2D and 3D categories, calling for entries that interpret the concept of biodiversity through upcycled materials. Out of numerous submissions, 18 outstanding finalists were selected for exhibition and final judging at Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC).
The works were evaluated based on their creative reuse of materials and their potential to inspire behavioral change towards a more balanced environment. The jury panel consisted of four esteemed figures: Professor Emeritus Thavorn Ko-udomvit, Professor Emeritus Yanawit Kunchaethong, Mr. Nitikorn Kraivichien, and Asst. Prof. Wuttikorn Kongkha.
Winners in the 2D Category:
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First Prize: "Shell-Egg Weaving" by Thammasat University — 15,000 THB
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Second Prize: "Golden Woodlands" by Thammasat University — 12,000 THB
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Third Prize: "Waste Weaving" by Thammasat University — 10,000 THB
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Honorable Mention: "Four Seasons (Jaturuedu)" by Sripatum University — 5,000 THB
Winners in the 3D Category:
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First Prize: "Bonsai from Waste" by Thammasat University — 30,000 THB
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Second Prize: "Wave of Changes" by Chulalongkorn University — 25,000 THB
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Third Prize: "Nature's Balance" by Chulalongkorn University — 20,000 THB
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Honorable Mention: "Plastic Petal" by Sripatum University — 5,000 THB
Voices from the Winners:
Ms. Sutasinee Sriwai and Ms. Orachon Wannapairoj Tinna Pholcharoen, winners of the 3D First Prize for "Bonsai from Waste" from Thammasat University, shared their inspiration:
"As textile majors, we accumulate a lot of leftover fabric. It felt wasteful to throw it away, so we began collecting it since our first year. With the theme of biodiversity, we were inspired by the banyan tree and assembled the work from various fabric scraps, using wires and joints as internal structure. To us, art, nature, and sustainability are inseparable — art is part of human nature and essential to how we coexist with the planet."
Ms. Piyapat Nakphet and Ms. Supaporn Saensuk, winners of the 2D First Prize for "Shell-Egg Weaving" from Thammasat University, added:
"This contest is a great opportunity to highlight environmental issues. We explored how food waste, particularly discarded eggshells, could be reimagined as something beautiful. The result was a carefully crafted abstract piece using a weaving technique. To us, sustainability means maintaining the balance of biodiversity, and that includes learning about ecosystems and living in harmony with nature. SX has helped raise that awareness for all of us."
Stay connected for more initiatives and year-round programming via:
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Facebook: Sustainability Expo
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Website: www.sustainabilityexpo.com
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LINE Official Account: @sxofficial
Let’s come together for a better future at Sustainability Expo 2024: Good Balance, Better World.
