Winners Announced for the 6th Trash to Treasure Art & Design Contest

“Water and Adaptation”: Art for a Better World

The Trash to Treasure Art & Design Contest, held for its 6th consecutive year under the theme “Water and Adaptation,” encourages young creators to design and produce works of art from everyday waste materials. The initiative aims to transform discarded items into valuable pieces that are not only aesthetically pleasing but also effectively interpret the concept of sustainability.

This year, 20 finalist pieces in both two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) categories were selected for final judging and exhibition at the SUSTAINABILITY EXPO 2025 (SX2025), ASEAN’s largest sustainability exposition, held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

The artworks were judged on their creativity, their ability to add value to waste materials, and their functionality according to their design. The contest's mission is to promote sustainable development ideals and inspire behavioral changes that contribute to global environmental balance. The distinguished panel of judges included Professor Emeritus Yanawit Kunchaethong, Mr. Nitikorn Kraivixien, Mr. Vuttikorn Kongka, Mr. Jiramai Pitakwong, and Mr. Komkrit Tepthian.

The winners are as follows:

2D Category

Winner: “Gleam of The Wave” from Thammasat University (Cash prize: THB 15,000)

1st Runner-up: “Life and Swam” from Thammasat University (Cash prize: THB 12,000)

2nd Runner-up: “Life and the River” from Chulalongkorn University (Cash prize: THB 10,000)

3D Category

• Winner: “Your name is…” from Thammasat University (Cash prize: THB 30,000)

• 1st Runner-up: “Guardian of the Last Drop” from Assumption University (Cash prize: THB 25,000)

• 2nd Runner-up: “Lost Drops” from King Mongkut's University of Technology North Bangkok (Cash prize: THB 20,000)

Ms. Piyarat Thongdee from Thammasat University, the winner in the 3D category for her work “Your name is…”, shared her vision: “This piece was created from waste materials, born from the belief that discarded and neglected trash can be given new ‘life’ and meaning through art. My inspiration comes from the ‘sea monster,’ a creature born from the things humans ignore, fail to manage, and deny love. This is a metaphor for discarded trash—when it is not cared for, it returns to harm us, just like the environmental problems we currently face. Waste should not be overlooked. If we give it meaning and take responsibility for it, it will no longer become a problem that comes back to haunt us. Creating art from waste is a small act that reflects love and responsibility for our planet.”

Ms. Warisara Chuaywattana, representing the winning team from Thammasat University in the 2D category for “Gleam of The Wave,” said: “I am thrilled and deeply honored to have had the opportunity to participate in this project. Seeing the fascinating works of other competitors was both challenging and a great learning experience. My professor recommended I join to explore new creative avenues. The theme of 'Water and Adaptation' is very compelling, so I chose to focus on the flow of water as the core of my piece. The primary inspiration was the gleam of the sea, which evokes a sense of power, beauty, and hope in nature. At the same time, it communicates the idea of transforming everyday materials, including waste and local wisdom, to create maximum value. This not only adds worth to the artwork but also reflects a way of coexisting responsibly with our world and making it a better place to live.”

Join us in celebrating the aesthetics of creativity and building a balanced, better world through art. The winning and finalist artworks are on display at the Better World zone, located on Floor G of the Sustainability Expo 2025 (SX2025), from today until October 5, 2025, from 10:00 AM to 8:00 PM at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC).

For the latest news and activities, follow SX on Facebook: Sustainability Expo, visit www.sustainabilityexpo.com, or add our LINE Official Account @sxofficial to participate in point-collection activities and win exciting prizes.