THE Waste-to-Art project promotes the message that rubbish is a resource that can be used to make art, furniture and jewellery among other things.

The initiative by the International Union for Conservation of Nature began last year with workshops held with youths from eight to 18 years of age.

IUCN energy program officer Andrew Irvin said the idea was to show that waste materials could be used for other purposes.

“There is no such thing as throwing trash away as it always goes somewhere,” Mr Irvin said.

“It is up to us to ensure it is managed in the most efficient manner causing the least amount of environmental degradation and loss of ecosystem services.

“Everything we do at IUCN focuses on environmental conservation and this is just one of our many projects.”

Mr Irvin said the first workshop last year resulted in the waste-to-art currently displayed at the Lami old rubbish dump site, which is set to be a recreational park.

“There are jellyfish displays hanging from the trees at the proposed park site and it is made out of tarpaulin, plywood, paint and re-used plastic bags.

“Along the fence there is also a reef display made out of bottles reshaped by our younger students.”

He added projects that deal with waste management and recycling should be taken up by schools, businesses, civil society organisations and other interested groups.

“I believe dealing with the litter issue in Fiji requires a society-wide look at valuing and conserving nature by examining the costs of degrading it.”