These Upcycled Art Pieces are Made from Electronic Junk

Mechanical engineer Art Alonso has navigated a diverse career path across multiple industries, including electronics, mining, construction, and plastic manufacturing. Unbenown to him, this journey would culminate in a profound realization of what he now considers his vocation as an artist, upcycler and eco-warrior. Alonso is the visionary behind "Upcycling with a TWIST" (Transforming Waste Into Special Things), a project dedicated to transforming waste into unique and valuable creations.

Upcycling with a TWIST founder Art Alonso

“Ever since I was young, I've been crafting various things from discarded items, but I didn't realize that what I was doing was upcycling,” he tells Esquire Philippines. Alonso attributes his resourcefulness and creativity to growing up in a large, financially challenged family with 10 children. "We were a big family... It was hard for my parents to afford the toys we wanted," he recalls.

This rhino beetle sculpture is crafted from parts of cellphones, laptops, an old clock, and fancy jewelry. Its frame is built from plastic containers.

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Growing up in Antipolo, Rizal, he remembers making cars out of tin cans and torn slippers. "Tingin ko, doon nagsimula ang interest ko na mag-create ng mga bagay-bagay," he says. 

His experiences working in different fields opened his eyes to the detrimental effects of solid waste on the environment. "While working for an electronics and semiconductor company, I saw firsthand the vast quantities of e-waste and its gradual destructive impact on our surroundings. Similarly, single-use plastics also pose potential health hazards over time."

Alonso turned his broken guitar into an artwork, incorporating a non-working vintage voltmeter, used plastic, computer components, a metal bidet hose, and printed circuit boards.

This gladiator helmet's base is crafted from a plastic water container. Its top is designed using plastic water bottles, keys from a computer keyboard, and reused insulation foam.

Environment Secretary Maria Antonia Yulo-Loyzaga reports that the Philippines produces over 61,000 million metric tons of waste each day, with plastic waste accounting for 24 percent of this total.

Alonso says it was while working overseas that he encountered individuals who shared his passion and inspired him to continue his environmental advocacy.

This bird sculpture stands on a base made from an American pine tree cone that was thrown away. Its wings, beak, and top head are crafted from used cutlery (a metal spoon and fork). The back side of the bird's head is made from clam shells, and its brown covering comes from dried moss.

Repurposed old jeans turned into a plant box.

A steadfast pillar of support for his cause, up until her final moments, was his mother, who was an artist herself. "Even in her last days, she encouraged me to persist in this advocacy, emphasizing the importance of protecting our environment for the sake of future generations."

This frog sculpture is made from plastic containers, broken radiator cap, discarded glass marbles, discarded buttons, earphone cables, dried moss, and plastic coffee containers.

The 55-year-old artist-engineer clarifies that it's not his intention to make money out of his art. "My aim is to raise awareness through my creations about the amount of waste we produce daily. The several kilograms of junk that you see here come solely from our household. Imagine the scale when considering our wider communities," he explains.

A crucifix made from the printed circuit board (PCB) of a computer and discarded flashlights.

As not all discarded materials are suitable for recycling, it's crucial for the public to explore and adopt innovative methods to repurpose them. This proactive approach not only mitigates waste but also contributes to a more sustainable environment. "It's a responsibility we bear for the sake of future generations, urging us to adopt sustainable practices and make meaningful changes now," he says.

An old vinyl record disc turned into a wall clock. The clock numbers are made from computer keyboards and discarded buttons.

Upcycled pili nut shells serve as the frame of this alarm clock.

An inventive book stool repurposed by Alonso features 4 strong metal caster wheels to support both the books' weight and the user's. To access the books, simply tilt the stool and loosen the wing nut underneath, which releases the books.