Waste to Worth: From Worthless Plastic to Jewelry with a Story
On September 30, 2025, from 6 to 7 pm., the SX IDEA LAB at SUSTAINABILITY EXPO 2025 (SX2025) was buzzing with participants of all ages during the workshop “Waste to Worth: Transforming Plastic into Jewelry.” This activity was designed to turn waste into opportunity, led by young facilitators from Dhurakij Pundit University under the Youth in Charge program: Waris Sarapit, Sirinanta Thammapura, Chinawut Yurachai, and Wanida Wongsawat.
This workshop was inspired by the brand “RATTANA,” which was co-created and further developed through the university’s project. The brand was founded with the core mission of adding value to used PET plastic and creating opportunities for communities. The plan is to source plastic bottles directly from local communities and hire community members to produce jewelry for the brand in the future.
During the workshop, every participant had the chance to create jewelry by hand using simple materials: PET plastic bottles, scissors, pliers, candles, jewelry wire and earring hooks, and decorative beads. The atmosphere was filled with fun and creativity—from cutting plastic bottle pieces, carefully heating them to bend into elegant shapes, to assembling them with beads and wire to form beautiful earrings and bracelets.
“We hope that everyone who joined the workshop walks away with a new perspective on waste and sustainability. It’s not just a responsibility for organizations or governments—it’s something for all of us. If only one person acts, the impact may be small or may never happen at all. But if everyone takes action together, the world truly has a chance to change.” Waris Sarapit remarked.
At the end of the workshop, participants not only brought home beautiful handmade jewelry but also discovered that used plastic bottles—often overlooked as waste—can be transformed into valuable and elegant accessories through their own creativity. This small act of collective effort became an important starting point, reminding everyone that environmental conservation is a shared responsibility and a driving force to move our world toward sustainability.
