Students at Central Philippines State University (CPSU) in Kabankalan City are transforming discarded paper into eye-catching artworks, combining creative expression with environmental advocacy.
They showcase these works through “PapeLab,” an initiative organized by the Natural Sciences Division of the College of Arts and Sciences (CAS), which encourages students to apply sustainability lessons by repurposing used paper.
“It’s actually a culminating activity of our General Education courses… The inspiration is to actualize what we teach students,” said Dr. Maria Cristina Canson-Badajos, head of the Natural Sciences Division.
The initiative, short for “paper laboratory,” brings together students enrolled in the Science, Technology, and Society (GEC 7) and Environmental Science subjects, requiring them to create artworks using discarded paper.
Organizers launched PapeLab in 2019 but suspended it during the pandemic. They revived it in 2023 and now run it annually, engaging hundreds of students and diverting significant amounts of paper waste from disposal.
“This is already the fourth continuous year, so students already knew about it,” Badajos said.
Organizers have also refined the process. Students previously used mixed materials, but now they focus mainly on papier-mâché.
Papier-mâché is an art technique where layers of paper are combined with paste or glue, shaped over a form or by hand, and left to dry until they harden into sturdy objects used for crafts and sculptures.
“We are now more strict and consistent in ensuring the sustainability of materials. We also include this activity as an entry when the university applies for local and international awards,” she added.
The initiative promotes “reuse” as its core principle.
“We advocate the repurposing of paper to prevent it from being burned or decomposing, to lessen greenhouse gas emissions,” she said.
According to the Institute for Environmental Research and Education (IERE), burning paper releases pollutants and carbon dioxide (CO2), worsening air quality and contributing to climate change by returning stored carbon into the atmosphere.
More participants onboard
This year, organizers expanded the activity by including Art Appreciation (GEC 6) students, who contributed mosaic paintings to the exhibit.
Student works have also shifted in theme.
“In the last two years or so, there have been creations like Baymax (2023), and now there’s a humanoid robot, as well as contemporary characters like Pikachu and Tony Tony Chopper,” Badajos said.
She noticed that students now draw more from pop culture instead of traditional subjects like animals or classical busts.
“In a way, pop culture is reflected in the sculptures and creations of our students, which aptly mirrors current culture, because art also serves as a record of particular times or periods,” she said.
Some students sell their works during the exhibit, with their consent.
“The average price is around P100 to P300, and some are auctioned,” she said.
Organizers use the proceeds to support future activities, particularly contests.
After the exhibit, organizers return some pieces to the students, keep others for display, or offer them for adoption—especially larger works—with the owner’s permission.*
Reymund Titong is a Filipino journalist steadily building his voice in the field of news reporting, driven by a commitment to tell meaningful and relevant stories.
He serves as a correspondent for Rappler, maintains a personal blog on Medium, and is the communications officer of Hope Builders Organization Negros Island.