Reported by Sakura Suzuki, Noa Tatsuno, Hazuki Moriyama, Hajime Kaneto
26 October & 7 December 2025 | Akita International University | 400 participants
AJYELN Japan Team “Glocal Ocean Reformer”, a student-led team from Akita International University (AIU), participated in the AIU Marche by showcasing and selling accessories made from marine plastic waste. Guided by the theme “Turning Trash into Treasure” the team aimed to raise public awareness of marine plastic pollution by sharing their firsthand experiences and knowledge while demonstrating how collected waste can be transformed into meaningful products. The team took part in the AIU Marche on two occasions, held on 26 October 2025, and 7 December 2025.
Key takeaways
- Creative products as effective awareness tools: Many visitors were surprised to learn that the accessories were made from marine plastic waste collected during clean-up activities. By combining product sales with informational flyers, the project successfully introduced the marine plastic issue in an accessible and engaging way.
- Strong public response to upcycled products: Nearly all handmade accessories—around 100 items including earrings, necklaces, hair ties, and keychains—were sold during the event. This strong response highlights growing public interest in sustainable, upcycled products and demonstrates the viability of creative recycling initiatives.
- Youth-centered outreach through social media: Short interview videos with customers were recorded and prepared for sharing on Instagram, using trend-based formats to engage younger audiences. This approach extends the project’s impact beyond the event itself and supports ongoing awareness-raising on marine plastic waste.
Main highlights
Date:
- First AIU Marche: 26 October 2025
- Second AIU Marche: 7 December 2025
Location: Akita International University
Co-organizer: AIU CC committee (AIU marché)
Participants: AIU students, local people who came to the marché
No. of participants: 400 participants in total (41 and 31 of them bought the accessories in the first and second event respectfully)
Activities implemented
Before the event, our team transformed collected marine plastics into beautiful accessories through a creative upcycling process. The plastics gathered during our beach clean-up at Katsurahama Beach were carefully washed, dried, and cut into small pieces of about 2–3 mm. Using a clothes iron, we melted and reshaped them into colorful fragments that resembled gemstones. To make them safe and comfortable to wear, we polished the edges and assembled them into earrings, necklaces, and hair ties.
Students creating accessories from plastic waste
On the day of the marché, these upcycled accessories caught the attention of many visitors. We shared the story behind each piece and the message it carried — that even discarded plastic can be reborn into something meaningful and beautiful.
Upcycled accessories sold during AIU marché
Outcome
Across two AIU Marche events, the project achieved strong public engagement and tangible outreach outcomes. On 26 October, approximately 200 visitors attended the booth, resulting in the sale of 41 upcycled marine plastic accessories. Similarly, on 7 December, the booth again attracted around 200 visitors, with 31 accessories sold. The consistent visitor turnout and sustained product sales across both events demonstrate steady public interest and the effectiveness of using creative, upcycled products as a tool for raising awareness about marine plastic waste.
Feedback
Many visitors were genuinely surprised to discover that the accessories were made from marine plastic waste. Their reactions showed how creative approaches can make environmental issues more relatable and inspiring to the public. This experience reminded us of the power of hands-on communication in raising awareness.
At the same time, we faced challenges in the production process, as making each accessory took longer than expected. Moving forward, we plan to organize our workflow more efficiently and create a clearer production plan to ensure smoother preparation for future events.
