On 17 December, 36 students from Gheorghe Țițeica National College discovered how technology can turn waste into art during the workshop “Eco Decor – PET to PET”. The process began with collecting 5-liter PET bottles, which were then transformed into 1.75 mm filament for 3D printers using the pultrusion technique.

This method heats and extrudes recycled plastic, producing long, uniform threads suitable for 3D printing. From this material, students designed and printed their own Christmas decorations.

The activity not only demonstrated the potential of upcycling but also offered a hands-on learning experience in digital design. After printing, students painted their ornaments with acrylic paints, adding creativity and a personal touch to their recycled decorations.

One 5L PET bottle produced approximately 100–120 grams of filament, enough for 4–5 ornaments. This simple fact underlined the potential of waste transformation: what would have otherwise ended up polluting the environment became festive decorations, proof that innovation and sustainability can go hand in hand.

By combining theory (documentaries and debates) with practice (creative recycling through 3D printing), students developed:

• A deeper understanding of the dangers of plastic pollution.
• Awareness of their role as agents of change in their communities.
• Practical skills in technology, design, and upcycling.

Students left the workshops not only with new knowledge but also with tangible creations that symbolized the value of giving waste a new life.