The Guam Green Growth Circular Economy Makerspace and Innovation Hub (G3 Makerspace) has launched a plastic collection campaign aimed at refurbishing school desks with recycled materials. The effort not only tackles the issue of deteriorating desks in schools but also addresses the island’s growing plastic waste problem.
A waste characterization report by the Guam Environmental Protection Agency and the Bureau of Statistics and Planning revealed that plastics account for about 25% of waste sent to the Layon landfill, second only to organic waste. Austin Shelton, director of the University of Guam Center for Island Sustainability and Sea Grant, said the project creates a pipeline for transforming recyclable plastics into functional products. “Through this project, the G3 Makerspace and Innovation Hub is helping build a waste management pipeline that transforms recyclable plastics into school desks for our students, keeping them out of the landfill and giving them new life,” Shelton said.
The idea began earlier this year when Navigating Home fellow Justin Cruz designed a prototype desk made from recycled plastics. G3 Makerspace coordinator Emily Wendte said schools often throw away desks with unsafe, disintegrating composite tops. By reusing plastics such as #2 high-density polyethylene (HDPE) and #5 polypropylene (PP) — found in detergent bottles, yogurt containers, and some to-go food containers — the project will produce sturdy new desktops. Each desk requires about 50 pounds of recycled plastic, processed using shredders and extruder machines at the hub.
The pilot phase will refurbish 30 to 50 desks for one classroom at Maria A. Ulloa Elementary School in Dededo, with a target completion date in early 2026. Collection efforts are supported by UOG Residence Halls and Global Learning & Engagement, with dorm residents helping clean and prepare plastics for recycling. Donations can be dropped off at the G3 Makerspace Plastic Resource Center (Unit 114, CHamoru Village) every Wednesday from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m. during Night Market. Only clean #2 and #5 plastics are accepted.
