As the world faces the threat of being overwhelmed by waste, how can we play a part in helping the planet? At the SX IDEA LAB stage during the SUSTAINABILITY EXPO 2024, visitors were invited to transform everyday waste materials into beautiful pieces of art in a session titled “Turning Trash to Treasured Art.” The hands-on activity, led by artist Vitchulada Pantaranuwong from the Bangkok Art Biennale (BAB), guided participants in creating lamps made from discarded materials.

Vitchulada shared that she began working with waste materials during her student years and has continuously developed her practice ever since. She believes that environmental care starts with the individual. One does not need to own a large company or advanced machinery—just creativity, two hands, materials, and a few tools are enough to help reduce global waste.

Today, Vitchulada runs a Social Enterprise (SE), emphasizing that each piece of art is not the work of an individual alone. It is a collaborative effort with the community—creating employment and empowering people. She believes those working behind the scenes should understand waste separation and the creative processes required to turn waste into meaningful artworks that can be applied in everyday life.

This workshop aligns with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12: Responsible Consumption and Production. Vitchulada encouraged participants to shift their perspective—seeing discarded materials as a source of inspiration and value. The workshop offered a wide range of upcycled materials including plastic cups, bottle caps, pipe cleaners, aluminum rings, and CDs. With these materials, attendees were free to design and craft their own lamps—without limitations or rules. Vitchulada provided close guidance, offering tips and techniques throughout the session.

She concluded by emphasizing that anyone can help the environment by starting with waste segregation. The key principle is separating materials by type and cleaning them thoroughly to ensure they are recyclable. Furthermore, she encouraged a circular mindset when creating art: to consider how each step in the process impacts society and the environment. For example, even if recycled materials are used, if the production requires excessive water or chemicals, these factors must also be taken into account.