From Trash to Treasure: The Art of Creative Upcycling in Modern Design
- Shabrina Yasmin
- Oct 11
- 3 min read
Nowadays, in a world full of mass production and customers often lead to mountains of waste consisting of discarded material, a unique revolution is taking place in the realm of design. Technological progress, while breaking barriers of time and space, has also fueled new lifestyles that generate even more waste. Amid this paradox of innovation and excess, a movement is rising that dares to see possibilities where others see only trash. But Modern Problems need Modern Solutions. And one of the heroes that could overcome this modern issue is Creative Upcycling.
Creative Upcycling is the process of transforming waste into objects of beauty and functions, it becomes a powerful and strategic activity to overcome environmental challenges. Far from niche practice, in this era, upcycling stands at the intersection of sustainability and artistry. This movement is redefining how society sees everyday material that was considered worthless.
The upcycling movement is also implemented nowadays in the world's largest archipelago, Indonesia. Now, Indonesia faces a pressing challenge in managing waste due to the effects of rapid urbanization, rising consumption, and limited recycling infrastructure. This led to overflowing landfills and mounting environmental concerns. Millions of tons of plastic and other waste are produced annually, and a large portion of this waste ends up contaminating rivers and coasts, according to recent reports. However, this difficulty also presents an opportunity: upcycling is being investigated as a sustainable and innovative solution by Indonesian designers, entrepreneurs, and community-based projects.
By__Rue
Angie and Alika, two friends who are deeply concerned about the environment, particularly the huge issue of plastic trash, launched By__Rue, a creative social venture. They melt and transform plastic spoons and used bottles into stylish items like necklaces, rings, and earrings rather than letting them wind up in the ocean or landfills. Every item is made to convey a sustainable message in addition to being stylish. In order to help local communities see the worth of waste and encourage a change toward more environmentally conscious lives, By__Rue also hosts workshops where participants learn how to upcycle plastic into useful goods. In this way, the project turns common waste into symbols of change by fusing activism, entrepreneurship, and art.
Jogja Life Cycle
A program in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, called Jogja Life Cycle aims to transform plastic waste into items with a high market value. The project, which was started by Ilham Zulfa Pradipta, started experimenting in 2022 and was manufacturing tasbih, coasters, medals, plaques, plastic boards, bracelets, and other handcrafted goods by 2023. They get their raw materials from 13 waste banks in the Giwangan region, but the supply is frequently insufficient. They require 35 to 50 kg daily, while many banks only provide about 65 kg monthly. They also purchase pre-processed plastic from outside the area as an addition.
Additionally, Jogja Life Cycle collaborates with local organizations such as Yogyakarta's Rumah Zakat and the Giwang Bersih Waste Bank Forum. The Yogyakarta mayor, for example, conveyed gratitude and urged cooperation in guaranteeing a consistent, reasonably priced supply of raw plastic and enhancing marketing to increase the demand for recycled goods.
Communities that support these movements not only lessen their impact on the environment but also open up new avenues for cultural expression and economic empowerment. Collectively, these initiatives serve as a reminder that sustainability is a practice that can be integrated into everyday life rather than a far-off ideal.
