Turning Trash into Treasure: Sustainable Upcycling
By nature, I tend to accumulate things, though it’s not a trait I boast about. During my undergraduate studies, we participated in a workshop led by a local sculptor named Ilyas Ahmed. He provided us with two truckloads of auto parts and encouraged us to unleash our creativity by crafting pieces of art for our university campus. This encounter left a lasting impact on me, reshaping my perspective on waste materials.
Soon, this newfound outlook evolved into a hobby. I found myself constantly seeking ways to transform ordinary waste into functional works of art. For instance, I repurposed old badminton shuttle cans into unique night lamps, which I then sold to the very people who had discarded them initially. I also crafted center tables using discarded car tires as bases and repurposed shuttle boxes as legs. Even beer bottle caps found new life as coasters, among other innovative creations.
This process of turning everyday junk into functional art pieces inspired the concept of “From the Trashbin to the Living Room” and gave birth to what I like to call “Scrapnomization.”
From Scrap to Sculpture: Public Art Using Car Parts
Tables Made from Old Car Tyres
Instead of discarding my old car tyres, I upcycled them into functional tables. I wrapped the tyres with jute thread and repurposed empty badminton shuttle boxes as table legs. For the tabletop, I collected fallen leaves from around the area — natural elements that would otherwise be discarded. After arranging and adhering them, I hand-painted the leaves and sealed the surface with epoxy resin, creating a durable, artful finish.
Tyre-Base Table with Egyptian Marble
For this piece, I used a car tyre as the base and topped it with an Egyptian marble slab. After a dog accidentally knocked over the original table and broke its marble pedestal, this redesign not only revived the piece but also provided a more stable and lasting solution
Empty badminton shuttle containers have been repurposed into custom products
Decorative Tables
In these examples, I’ve repurposed a variety of used materials, including badminton shuttle boxes, broken glass, fallen leaves, and scrap wood , to create functional pieces of art. Epoxy resin served as the primary binding and finishing medium, giving new life and durability to discarded elements.
Lamps
These handmade lamps were among my most successful creations. A friend and I set up a stall at a Christmas bazaar and sold all 50 unique pieces within a single day. Each lamp featured a pedestal made from repurposed badminton shuttle cork tubes. The shades were wrapped in satin, printed with digitally hand-drawn designs that brought rich color and warmth to any space. The proceeds from the sale were used to provide winter clothing and a Christmas meal for around 30 homeless people.
Images from the Christmas Bazaar Stall
Products made from epoxy resin
Clocks
One day, while cleaning out my garage, I came across a few broken clocks. That discovery sparked an idea , I repurposed the clock hands and movements to create a new series of timepieces using epoxy resin. Each piece was uniquely designed with alcohol inks, producing vibrant colors and captivating 3D patterns within the resin. This experiment eventually evolved into an entire line of handmade clocks.
Coasters and Short Glasses
I began by transforming beer bottle caps into timeless coasters, which sparked my curiosity to experiment further. This led to the creation of colorful versions and matching shot glasses, designed as unique souvenirs
Featured in the Local Newspaper
During the sudden COVID-19 pandemic and overnight lockdowns, working on these hobby projects became a true game-changer for me. After finishing my office work each day, diving into creative upcycling helped me cope with the uncertainty and fear of that once-in-a-lifetime phase.
I also supported other enthusiasts by conducting Zoom workshops, acting as an enabler in their journeys. These sessions provided basic skills to transform waste into functional, everyday art. I was honored to be featured in the local daily newspaper, a moment that offered encouragement and recognition during a challenging time.