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PLASTICA: Transforming Discarded Plastic into Unique Jewelry and Art

PLASTICA is a Chilean company dedicated to creating colorful and original jewelry and artwork from discarded plastic. With a focus on sustainability, each handmade piece tells a story of transformation and creativity, showcasing the beauty of reimagined waste. The project not only emphasizes local artistry but also promotes environmental awareness, making it a beacon of…

sustainable jewelry

What the Project Is

PLASTICA, CONSCIOUS JEWELRY is a company with over ten years of history, always radiating energy and love for art and nature. This dedicated initiative creates colorful and original jewelry and artwork from discarded plastic – giving a second life to what would otherwise end up in landfills… Everything is handmade in Chile, and every piece tells a story of transformation, creativity, and care. The multidisciplinary team behind this project is passionate about reimagining waste into art using innovative techniques and silver fittings, making each item as unique as the individual who wears or displays it.

Main Benefit

Some key features of this innovative project include:

  • SUSTAINABLE: Made from 100% reused plastic.
  • ETERNAL: Comes with a lifetime guarantee.
  • UNIQUE: Authentic design created by talented Chilean designers.
  • HYPOALLERGENIC: Designed with silver fittings for sensitive skin.
  • LIGHTWEIGHT: Enjoy the feeling of comfort with each wear – it’s as if hardly anything is there.
  • HANDMADE: Emphasizing local production in Chile.

Additional perks include free shipping on orders over $50,000 in Chile, along with B Corporation certification that highlights the commitment to ethical business practices and environmental awareness. This combination of benefits makes the project not just innovative in design but also highly practical and sustainable.

Design Innovation

The art of transformation is at the heart of this creative endeavor. Reused plastic is not just recycled; it is reimagined into something valuable, showcasing infinite possibilities. The project emphasizes how discarded material can be reborn into original pieces of jewelry and art that make a statement. Using proprietary creation techniques, every item is the result of a blend of science, creativity, and a touch of magic – a transformation that celebrates innovation, style, and environmental responsibility.

Environmental Impact

The purpose of this project is to contribute to nature and environmental awareness by giving new life to plastic through its innovative reuse. The process is more than recycling; it’s an artistic reinvention that breathes character into waste, inspiring others to embrace circularity. By transforming what would be discarded into works of art, the project highlights the essential role of environmental care in today’s world. It stands as a beacon of hope, encouraging a shift toward sustainable practices while proving that environmental responsibility and creativity can go hand in hand… making the planet a more vibrant place.

Craftsmanship and Uniqueness

Authenticity is embedded in every piece crafted by this project. The focus on handmade production ensures that each item is not only unique but also enriched with the spirit of local artistry. The use of silver fittings ensures the jewelry is hypoallergenic and comfortable to wear – a small detail that goes a long way in enhancing the overall experience. The Chilean designers responsible for these creations add an unmistakable touch of originality and cultural pride, which infuses each work with a sense of history and passion for both art and nature.

Project Impact

  • SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production
  • SDG 13: Climate Action
  • SDG 15: Life on Land
  • SDG 9: Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth

Cultural Impact

In today’s dynamic world, cultural impact takes center stage. This project not only transforms material but also minds – inspiring a broader movement toward creative reuse and environmental mindfulness. It echoes a profound respect for nature and celebrates the beauty in unexpected places. By turning plastic waste into symbols of creativity, the project encourages a dialogue about sustainability and offers a tangible, stylish solution that is as trendy as it is responsible. Every piece speaks to the harmonious convergence of art, innovation, and environmental consciousness, inviting people to see potential where others see waste… a true celebration of transformation at every step.

What plastica actually does

plastica (originally launched as Joya Plástica in 2013, renamed in 2019) is a Chilean jewelry and art brand founded by three women, a mother and her daughters, that transforms discarded plastic into wearable pieces and framed art. Based in Santiago, the company is B Corp certified and runs both a direct-to-consumer line and a corporate channel, “plastica corp,” offering gifts and upcycling workshops to businesses.

Where the recycled plastic shows up

  • Jewelry and accessories: earrings and pieces made from recovered plastic
  • Framed art and murals: including a 648-module mural completed in 2024
  • Corporate collaborations: named collections co-branded with client companies

Proof, not just claims

4,925 kgplastic recovered cumulatively since 2013
180.5 kgrecovered in 2024 alone, up 32% from 2023
81people trained in plastic upcycling workshops, 2024

plastica publishes a detailed annual impact report breaking down recovered plastic by year and by product line. In 2024 the brand also produced 2,698 framed art pieces from 149.7 kg of recovered material, including one 648-module mural.

Trusted by

BMW2024 mural collaboration
AvèneCorporate collection
CCUCorporate client
Sistema BB Corp network partner

Why this belongs on a sustainability directory

plastica’s own published, year-by-year plastic recovery data, tracked from 22.5 kg in 2017 to 180.5 kg in 2024, gives SDG12 (responsible consumption and production) a rare, auditable trail rather than a single aggregate claim. Its 2024 workshop program, training 81 people to upcycle plastic themselves, extends that model past the company’s own products into skills transfer within the community it operates in.

Frequently asked questions

Where is plastica based, and who uses it?

plastica is based in Santiago, Chile, founded in 2013 as Joya Plástica and renamed plastica in 2019. It sells both B2C jewelry and art, and B2B corporate gifts and workshops to companies including BMW and Avène.

Which SDGs does plastica support, and how?

plastica supports SDG12 (Responsible Consumption and Production) by publishing detailed, year-by-year plastic recovery data and converting recovered material into jewelry and art, and by training members of the public to upcycle plastic through its annual workshop program.

How is plastica verified as a sustainability project?

plastica is a Certified B Corporation and publishes an annual impact report detailing plastic recovered by year and by product line, cumulative totals, and workshop participation.

Looking for similar ethical fashion projects?

See Ethical fashion projects on Keys for Tomorrow.

Arnaud Michel, founder of Keys for Tomorrow
About the curator

Arnaud Michel is the founder and curator of Keys for Tomorrow. In 2014, his master’s thesis on community currencies and sustainable development won the Prix Recherche at Belgium’s Prix de l’Économie Sociale; the research was later published as Ecological Economics (Elsevier, 2015). He curates this directory to the same standard, cross-checking every project against established certification bodies and directories — including B Corp, 1% for the Planet, and Solar Impulse Foundation — alongside direct research into each project’s own record. Connect on LinkedIn.

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