Virtual Booth

EcoDormFlex is a student-led sustainable surface innovation system that transforms PET plastic waste into anti-slip, thermally comfortable composite mats for school facilities and transportation. The project addresses two interconnected challenges: the accumulation of PET plastic waste in schools, particularly in dormitories and dining areas, and the safety and comfort risks posed by wet and heat-absorbing surfaces in high-traffic zones. By aligning with SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production and SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, EcoDormFlex promotes circular material reuse while directly enhancing hygiene, safety, and thermal comfort in school environments.

The project has two main objectives which are to develop a recycled PET–rubber composite material suitable for anti-slip and thermal comfort applications, and to implement a structured school-based plastic collection system that reduces environmental waste. Its novelty lies in combining low-temperature, school-scale fabrication with functional material engineering, producing durable, slip-resistant mats that convert plastic waste into practical solutions for everyday school safety and comfort. Unlike traditional recycling initiatives, EcoDormFlex links sustainability with measurable well-being outcomes.

The main materials for EcoDormFlex are recycled PET bottles and crumb rubber. PET flakes provide structural rigidity, while crumb rubber adds flexibility, impact absorption, and anti-slip properties. Arranged in a layered PET–rubber–PET configuration, the materials are bonded using low-temperature thermo-bonding (160–180°C) to produce durable, safe, and comfortable surfaces for high-risk areas such as bathroom entrances, handwashing zones, shoe racks, and school vehicle floors.

EcoDormFlex demonstrates that circular economy principles and sustainable engineering can be implemented at the school level, turning everyday plastic waste into safer, cleaner, and smarter learning environments. Its scalable model offers opportunities for broader adoption in other schools and institutions, showing that meaningful environmental impact and improved student well-being can begin within the classroom.