Turning Plastic Waste into Art: How Yogyakarta’s PASTE LAB Transforms Trash into Sustainable Eco-Designs

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FORMOSA NEWS

Researchers at the Indonesia Institute of the Arts (ISI) Denpasar published a new study in August 2026 examining how local design initiatives can successfully solve urban plastic pollution through creative ecodesign practices. Led by researchers Indah Fitriana Hapsari, I Wayan Adnyana, Ni Made Arshiniwati, and Nyoman Dewi Pebryani, the investigation analyzed PASTE LAB Yogyakarta—an interdisciplinary creative laboratory located in Bangunjiwo, Kasihan, Bantul Regency. The study reveals how converting post-consumer plastic waste into high-value functional furniture, home decor, and architectural elements provides an effective micro-scale circular economy model while driving environmental awareness and social transformation across local Indonesian communities.

Background and Context

Plastic waste accumulation remains a critical ecological challenge across Indonesia, where urban landfills frequently reach maximum capacity. The urgent need for localized waste management became particularly evident following the closure of the regional Piyungan Final Disposal Site (TPA) in Yogyakarta, which created a regional garbage emergency and strained local waste handling infrastructure. While national laws such as Law Number 18 of 2008 on Waste Management and Presidential Regulation No. 97 of 2017 promote green industries and sustainable development, significant gaps persist between macro-level national policies and real-world execution. Interdisciplinary, community-rooted creative enterprises like PASTE LAB offer a practical strategy to bridge this gap by converting non-biodegradable trash into valuable, aesthetic goods.

Research Methodology

To understand how creative ecodesign operates as a tool for environmental and social change, the researchers employed a qualitative ethnographic research design. Data collection was conducted on-site at PASTE LAB Yogyakarta through direct participant observation, document analysis, and in-depth interviews. The team applied data verification via triangulation and evaluated the operational workflow through four primary theoretical frameworks: Ecodesign Theory, Circular Economy Theory, Social Transformation Theory, and the Community Concept.

Key Findings

The study documented how PASTE LAB integrates material technology, design aesthetics, and community engagement to turn discarded plastic into commercial products. Key insights from the research include:

• Targeted Plastic Types: PASTE LAB focuses specifically on four durable, easily reprocessable plastic types: High-Density Polyethylene (HDPE), Polypropylene (PP), Low-Density Polyethylene (LDPE), and Polystyrene (PS).
• 14-Step Technical Manufacturing Flow: The physical recycling workflow follows a structured sequence: raw material collection, coarse shredding into chunks, fine shredding, material weighing, custom color composition formula mixing, mechanical stirring, hot press cooking into molds, cooling press, special surface frasing, CNC precision cutting, manual edge finishing, product assembly, protective packaging, and direct client delivery.
• Dual Waste Management Track: The facility accepts community drop-offs and offers client-oriented recycling. Corporate clients or waste donors who supply their own raw materials receive a 5% to 20% discount on final product costs, along with a detailed report detailing total waste processed, percentage usage, and final yields.
• Diverse Product Ecosystem: The lab manufactures a broad product catalog, including outdoor furniture, window curtains ('Krepyak'), building facades, exhibition stages, trophies, wireless chargers, coasters, wall clocks, and custom interior furniture.
• Commercial Adoption: PASTE LAB’s eco-designed products have been widely adopted across both public and private sectors, including clients such as Bank Indonesia, Pertamina, CIMB Bank, Toyota, Novotel, and Sinarmas Land.

Real-World Impact and Industry Relevance

The findings demonstrate that ecodesign can shift the public perception of waste from discarded trash to a valuable economic and aesthetic resource. By integrating local residents into collection networks via drop boxes, educational workshops, and community training, PASTE LAB fosters measurable behavioral shifts toward domestic waste sorting. Furthermore, the study outlines operational challenges facing green creative SMEs, including rising raw plastic costs, restricted production space, limited machinery scale, and intense market competition from industrial-scale recyclers. To ensure long-term viability, the authors recommend expanding community waste-bank partnerships, securing intellectual property protections for unique material formulations, and adopting automated production technologies.

Academic Insights

"Sustainable design practices at PASTE LAB are pragmatic and contextual. Design isn't just seen as an aesthetic expression but as a production strategy that considers product usefulness, material efficiency, and environmental impact. The transformation happening isn't just about the material, but also about the social awareness of people regarding the environment and sustainability."

— Indah Fitriana Hapsari et al., Indonesia Institute of the Arts (ISI) Denpasar

Author Profile

Indah Fitriana Hapsari, M.Ds. is an academic researcher and doctoral candidate affiliated with the Indonesia Institute of the Arts (ISI) Denpasar. Her field of expertise encompasses eco-design, green creative industries, visual art, and community-based environmental sustainability.

Source Information

Article Title: Ecodesign Practices in Plastic Waste Processing: A Design Study of Social Transformation and Environmental Sustainability at PASTE LAB Yogyakarta
Journal Name: Jurnal Multidisplin Madani (MUDIMA)
Publication Year: 2026
DOI : https://doi.org/10.55927/mudima.v6i8.112
URL : https://journalmudima.my.id/index.php/mudima