RIYADH: Three Saudi Arabian students have been recognized for making artwork from recycled materials as part of Epson’s ReCreators contest.
The competition was launched by the technology company on World Sustainability Day last October, when schools in the Kingdom were invited to take part.
The aim of the event was to introduce students aged seven to 12 to recycling and everyday sustainability choices.
It included three categories — best use of recycled materials, most creative design, and most practical or inspiring idea with entries judged by Epson regional representatives and influencer Dina Butti.
The winning students were Saud bin Ibrahim Al-Aouda and Thunayan bin Turkey Al-Shehri from Kawarzmie School and Fahd Mansour Al-Jaafari from Al-Salam School, which are both in Riyadh.
Their works included a star-shaped lamp made from waste wood, a coffee table made from an old tire with sackcloth and a glass top, and a vase sculpture made from recycled paper, tissue paper, and watercolors.
Kawarzmie School art teacher Ahmed Saeed Elgamal said: “I congratulate the winners and all the students who participated in the competition for their innovative and highly creative artwork. Everyone involved in the initiative was rightly amazed by the level of ingenuity shown by the students and the beautiful artwork they created from discarded items.
“I also thank Epson for this initiative, which encouraged our students to consider the impact of waste, the value of recycling and the power of creativity to help promote eco-conscious behavior in the Kingdom.”
Each winning student received an Epson EcoTank printer as a prize, with participating schools receiving an Epson projector.
Bella Tobing, head of corporate sustainability and government affairs at the company, said: “Our aim was to empower young minds to explore new skills, think innovatively, and express their creativity while caring for the planet by using recyclable materials.
“The initiative was also the perfect opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of re-using and recycling to reduce waste in line with the UN Sustainable Development Goals.”
