FOR THEIR startup concept that turns bubble wraps into yarn, students of the Technological Institute of the Philippines were declared waste management design champions of Climathon Pasig 2021.

Called “Ahhyarn,” Environmental and Sanitary Engineering seniors Analyn Balog, Aila Marie Bandola, Kim Nicolle Divina, Vince Ivan Ilagan, Myrriel Sofia Mejia, and Ronniello Remudaro bested five other pitches to claim the title.

The group project was inspired by global footwear brand Adidas which turned polyethylene terephthalate bottles into threads for their shoes.

“As the country’s plastic problem continues to swell due to the rise of e-commerce, more and more bubble wraps end up in our landfills,” TIP Technopreneurship Coordinator Engr. Shearyl Arenas said.

“Such environmental issues challenged our students to come up with a solution that would wind this non-biodegradable waste into something useful,” she added.

To make the project possible, the students partnered with the Pasig City government and a local machine shop to collect, sort, and process bubble wraps into yarn.

The group said that turning bubble wraps into yarn will create livelihood projects for weavers in Metro Manila and nearby provinces.

The yarns from bubble wraps can be sold commercially to produce bags, pillowcases, and stuffed toys, among others, the group said.

Pilot testing is set at the barangay level.

“Through the project, the school hopes to contribute to the lessening of plastic waste one bubble wrap at a time. It may be much of a handful, but as the students would say, ‘kaya natin yaarn,’” TIP said.

Meanwhile, the team also received the City Environment and Natural Resource Office Choice Award and UnionBank UPBXcellerator Innovation Award.

Climathon Pasig is an annual event where students, business leaders and policymakers pitch possible solutions to address climate change.