“Plastic is valuable!” – two young women from Moldova turn waste into art

Today’s waste can become tomorrow’s design. From this idea, a remarkable initiative was born in the Republic of Moldova – “Recycline”, where plastic gains a new life and new value. Cristina Tocari and Oana Păun have shown that sustainability can blend perfectly with art and entrepreneurship, transforming polluting waste into unique design objects, from jewellery to furniture. With the support of the EU4Youth programme, they have also developed the non-governmental organisation “Recycline Unity”, which allows them to build an active and responsible community engaged in creating a more sustainable world, while also gaining new knowledge in the field.

From studies in France to innovation in Moldova

The story began nearly four years ago, when Cristina Tocari returned to Moldova after completing her studies in France, where she specialised in Economic and Social Administration. Her mission was clear: to bring European best practices home and create an initiative that addresses local environmental challenges.

“This idea was born and developed over time, and it seemed like the solution – or the best thing I could do – to combine my academic experience with my passions for art and sustainability. The project is a perfect intersection of all these elements. I returned with the intention of coming back specifically for this project,” says Cristina, the project’s founder.

Shortly after, Oana Păun joined the team, at that point a 10th-grade student who initially came on board as a volunteer. Discovering a passion for the technological and technical side of recycling, Oana is now the Community Manager, co-founder, and a second-year Mechanical Engineering student.

European support and mentorship for developing the initiative

At the beginning of their journey, the young entrepreneurs were constantly seeking knowledge and support to turn their ideas into reality. The opportunity came with the project “Building Back Better Through Social Entrepreneurship,” implemented by Junior Achievement Moldova within the EU4Youth programme. The initiative not only provided financial resources but also opened doors to mentors, hands-on expertise, and new perspectives.

“Overall, the experience was truly special. Being at the very beginning, we paid close attention and care to any advice we received at that time. The experts in the programme were extremely helpful. We are very grateful for this opportunity”, says Oana.

The EU4Youth support was a catalyst that enabled them to develop “Recycline Unity” and, at the same time, build an educated and responsible community. Through the organisation, they run awareness campaigns, install sorting stations in schools, and deliver environmental education sessions for young people.

“We decided to make use of the knowledge of experts and teachers in order to learn how to build a sustainable NGO, capable of sustaining itself”, says Oana.

The financial contribution provided through Junior Achievement Moldova amounted to 2,000 euros; a sum invested in professional development. With the help of the grant, the entrepreneurs completed certified training courses for environmental inspectors at “e-Circular” (a non-governmental organisation with a mission to promote the circular economy in the Republic of Moldova), thus strengthening their waste management skills and increasing the educational impact of their projects.

At the same time, the trainings offered within the EU4Youth programme enabled the founders to develop a consultancy service for offices or spaces that aim to manage waste more efficiently.

“One perfect example is our collaboration with small businesses (e.g., beauty salons), which can bring in packaging from shampoos or cosmetics to be transformed into furniture used right in their own salon”, says Oana.

From jewellery to commercial furniture

“Plastic is not just waste that we should hide in landfills. In the right hands, plastic is a valuable resource, a statement of style, and an essential step toward a more environmentally friendly world”, notes Cristina.

Initially, the team designed a jewellery collection, and today production has reached an impressive scale:

• Design furniture: chairs, tables, and stands made from recycled plastic
• B2B customised objects: badges, keychains, wall logos of large dimensions, and commercial furniture for companies in Moldova seeking to become more eco-friendly

“We chose a product that highlighted the material not only through quantity, but also through beautiful design, handmade work, and a visually appealing concept”, says Cristina.

Thus, over the past four years, the initiative has managed to recycle nearly 5 tons of plastic, collecting more than 100 kilograms monthly from the community.

Future plans: A local vision with global impact

Cristina and Oana aim to expand their range of furniture for commercial spaces and strengthen their line of customised products for companies. At the same time, their jewellery has crossed national borders – through the Etsy platform, Recycline products have reached customers across Europe, as well as in the United States and Japan.

“We believe that things happening at the local level can certainly create change globally – whether it’s an initiative that can be replicated or simply a sense of well-being that becomes contagious”, the team concludes.

The development of “Recycline” has been made possible not only by passion and innovation, but also through the support provided by the EU4Youth programme. Such European initiatives demonstrate how important it is to support young people, equipping them with the tools they need to become leaders of green change and to build social enterprises with a lasting impact in their communities.