‘Trash to Treasure’ initiative highlights sustainability efforts at World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025

SINGAPORE, 12 March 2025 – Medallists at the 2025 World Aquatics Championships and World Aquatics Masters Championships will receive distinctive medals crafted from recycled aluminium cans. The World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025 (WCH 2025) organising committee on Wednesday (12 March) unveiled the ‘Trash to Treasure’ initiative as one of the event’s key sustainability programmes. Green fintech group MVGX was also introduced as the Sustainability Solutions Partner for Singapore 2025. WCH 2025 is also working closely with educational partners such as PAP Community Foundation (PCF) Sparkletots Preschool Centres.

The 'Trash to Treasure' initiative will transform approximately 100,000 cans into 5,000 medals for both the World Aquatics Championships (11 July to 3 August) and World Aquatics Masters Championships (26 July to 22 August). This will be the first time waste aluminium will be recycled into medals at the World Aquatics Championships. This collection effort was made possible through the participation of students from five PCF Sparkletots Preschool centres, eight primary schools and three secondary schools, who are part of the School Recycling League. The League promotes active student engagement that encourages students to participate in recycling activities while nurturing environmental responsibility from an early age. 

Mr. Mark Chay, Singapore 2025 Organising Committee Co-Chairperson, said: “Sustainability is a key consideration for organisers of large-scale events, as our society becomes increasingly aware of the need to minimise our environmental impact. The Singapore 2025 committee is proud to take the lead in championing sustainable practices at various level as we gear up for the World Aquatics Championships. Initiatives like “Trash to Treasure” highlight how simple, greener habits can integrate seamlessly into our daily lives while driving meaningful change. The enthusiastic involvement of students and schools in this programme is truly inspiring and a testament to the power of collective action for a sustainable future."

Ms. Angela Yang, Director, Professional & Education Development, PCF Sparkletots Preschool, said: “At PCF, we are committed to nurturing environmentally responsible individuals from a young age. The 'Trash to Treasure' initiative empowers our children to take meaningful action in sustainability by collecting and repurposing aluminium cans. Through this hands-on experience, they learn the value of environmental stewardship and how small efforts create a lasting impact. We are proud to support this initiative, knowing that the medals at the World Aquatics Championships - Singapore 2025 will embody both sustainability and community spirit.”

The aluminium cans collected through the Trash to Treasure initiative will undergo open loop recycling, where the cans are processed, cleaned and smelted into medals for the athletes competing at the Singapore 2025 Championships. The medals will be manufactured by ipse ipsa ipsum using recycled aluminium instead of new raw materials from conventional sources. Each medal weighing approximately 150g each will require 20 cans.

Mr. Saurabh Mangla, Founder and Creative Director, ipse ipsa ipsum, said: "Responsible recycling practices are simple actions that can have lasting benefits on the environment. Recycling waste aluminium into medals is one example. We are proud to be a part of this unique initiative and contribute to the sustainability efforts at the World Aquatics Championships."

MVGX is the Sustainability Solutions Partner of the WCH 2025, and will provide a suite of digital tools, reporting systems and sustainability services to ensure that the event meets the highest environmental standards possible. MVGX will also facilitate voluntary carbon offsets in line with internationally recognised sustainability frameworks to reduce the event’s overall carbon environmental impact more effectively. We are pleased that MVGX has come on board as our Sustainability Solutions Partner, and will provide us with the expertise and resources to ensure sustainable practices at the WCH 2025.”

In collaboration with the Singapore 2025 committee, MVGX will support community engagement through pre-event educational and awareness campaigns. Training sessions will be conducted to equip vendors and sponsors with the necessary tools and resources, enhancing their sustainability knowledge.

Mr. Gabriel Wong, Co-Founder, MVGX, said: "Large-scale events like the World Aquatics Championships – Singapore 2025 demand strategic, technology-driven solutions to address sustainability challenges effectively. At MVGX, we bring our expertise in carbon management to support measurable outcomes, ensuring robust reporting, accountability, and alignment with global standards. This partnership is an opportunity to demonstrate how digital solutions can drive real impact and set a precedent for sustainable event management worldwide."

At the World Aquatics Championships - Singapore 2025, more than 2,500 athletes are expected to compete in 77 medal events across six aquatic sports – swimming, artistic swimming, water polo, diving, high diving and open water swimming. The World Aquatics Masters Championships, which typically follow the elite Championships, will take place concurrently this year for the first time. About 6,000 athletes aged 25 and above are expected to participate in the World Aquatics Masters Championships. The event will feature five aquatic sports – swimming, artistic swimming, water polo, diving and open water swimming.