“Waste to Wonder: Rethinking Material in Laos” is more than an exhibition—it is a call to action. Developed under the SCP Lao project, it encourages the public to rethink their daily consumption habits and reduce waste at its source. Rather than focusing solely on recycling, the exhibition promotes conscious choices that prevent plastic pollution in the first place. By engaging youth, women, artists, and green entrepreneurs, the event fosters dialogue and collaboration on sustainable living and responsible consumption.
The exhibition highlights a fundamental idea: the most powerful change begins before waste is created. Through artworks and innovative products, visitors will experience how discarded materials can be reimagined into valuable creations—illustrating that beauty and sustainability can coexist.
The opening ceremony of the Waste to Wonder Green Marketplace was officially launched on 17 October 2025 at the XYZ Art Center, Vientiane. The event was chaired by Mr. Sounadeth Soukchaleun, Deputy Director General of the Department of Planning and Cooperation, Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), and co-chaired by Mr. Phonesavanh Sethanapaisarn, Representative of the European Union in Laos. The ceremony also featured remarks from Mr. Mujibul Cezanne Hasan, Country Director of Swisscontact Lao PDR.
In his remarks, Mr. Mujibul Cezanne Hasan highlighted that the event was organized under the leadership of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, with support from the EU and SDC, and actively participated in by Lao civil society organizations, artists, green entrepreneurs, and private sector partners.
Mr. Sounadeth Soukchaleun, Deputy Director General of the Department of Planning and Cooperation, MAE, stated:
Representing the European Union in Laos, Mr. Phonsavanh Sethanapaisarn commended the Waste to Wonder initiative for its creative and inclusive approach.
The event brings together a unique collaboration between five Lao artists—Khampoun Saengpakay, Mangkone Xayavong, ARTD Sert Phonepaserd, Dany Sirisomphone, and Manivone Vansavath—and eight green enterprises—XonPhao Working Group for People Living with Disabilities, Made New, Recycle Art – Lao, Crozy Design, Patihoub, NCA, ECCDA, and KLab.
Each artist–enterprise pairing merges creativity with environmental responsibility to produce works that represent the transformation of waste into wonder. From sculptures and installations to upcycled designs, every piece tells a story of resilience, innovation, and purpose.
The exhibition also serves as an educational platform, sharing insights into plastic recycling and reduction. Visitors will learn about the seven types of plastic, their recyclability, and their impacts on health and the environment. Through interactive displays and real-life examples, the exhibition reminds us that while recycling is beneficial, reducing and rethinking consumption are far more effective.
Globally, only about 9% of plastic waste has ever been recycled, and a single plastic bottle can take up to 450 years to decompose. Waste to Wonder urges everyone to make small, conscious changes—such as choosing refillable products, saying no to single-use plastics, and supporting sustainable design—to protect our planet for future generations.
By transforming discarded materials into creative inspiration, Waste to Wonder celebrates innovation and collective responsibility. It invites all to see waste not as an endpoint, but as the beginning of something beautiful and transformative.
Through the SCP Lao Project, Swisscontact is actively promoting Sustainable Consumption and Production (SCP) and the circular economy by supporting eco-friendly enterprises, raising awareness on waste reduction, and building capacity for green business development. By fostering partnerships across art, education, and entrepreneurship, Swisscontact continues to empower local actors to create value from waste — transforming environmental challenges into opportunities for sustainable growth.