UKDW and Cokrodiningratan Tourism Village Turn Bottle Caps into Eco-Friendly Souvenirs
YOGYAKARTA – The Product Design Department at Universitas Kristen Duta Wacana (UKDW) has launched a strategic collaboration with Cokrodiningratan Tourism Village and Lelaku Studio through the Co-Design Workshop: Eco-Gifts from Recycled Bottle Caps. The workshop, held Tuesday, August 19, 2025, at the Cokrodiningratan Village Hall, brought together local residents, community groups, and waste bank representatives.
The initiative seeks to strengthen local tourism by developing eco-friendly souvenirs made from discarded plastic bottle caps. Beyond offering new creative products, the program also aims to raise awareness about waste management and promote community-based creative economies.
The event opened with remarks from Kristian Oentoro, S.Ds., M.Ds., lecturer at UKDW’s Product Design Department, who outlined the workshop’s objectives. The occasion also marked the signing of a cooperation agreement between the Product Design Department and Kampung Wisata Cokrodiningratan (Kasaningrat), setting the foundation for long-term collaboration.
In her address, Head of the Product Design Department Winta T. Satwikasanti, M.Sc., Ph.D., introduced the program’s vision and facilities, highlighting the importance of collaboration among academia, communities, and local residents. She concluded with a traditional macapat song, underscoring the values of harmony and cooperation.
Ambarwati, Chair of Kasaningrat, welcomed the partnership as part of an ongoing effort to make Cokrodiningratan Tourism Village more creative, innovative, and self-reliant. She expressed hope that recycled souvenirs could become a distinctive hallmark and a new attraction for visitors.
Village Head Andityo Bagus Bagaskoro, S.T., M.Eng., emphasized the role of souvenirs in shaping the image of a tourism destination. He voiced optimism that the partnership would continue to expand, reaching other creative sectors such as culinary development.
The workshop itself was led by the Lelaku Studio team, who shared both practical insights and hands-on techniques for transforming plastic bottle caps into artful souvenirs. Participants took part enthusiastically, experimenting with designs and exploring creative possibilities.
One participant, Tri, praised the initiative, noting that collaborative projects like this create space for dialogue and cross-sector innovation with tangible benefits for the community.
This workshop stands as a concrete example of how universities, creative collectives, and local communities can join forces to design sustainable solutions that are both socially and economically impactful.
W-ID: jonathan | Ed. (ENG): drr
