Students from the recently launched Higher National Diploma in Fine Art course at the MCAST Institute of Art and Design are joining the GreenPak Earth Garden Festival this year.

Following brainstorming group sessions, theycame up with the idea of creating a musical environment called ‘The Enchanted Musical Forest’. The concept, to be displayed at festival, being held in Ta’ Qali on May 23 and 24, aims to bring people together through music and make everyone aware of the possibilities of reusing any unwanted waste in creative and unusual ways.

The students are using waste to build unusual musical instruments. They are planning to create three types of percussion - out of metal tanks, from cardboard tanks and out of metal tins and cans.

A number of shakers made out of plastic bottles and filled with different materials such as old nails, glass and crushed plastic have already been produced. In progress are some huge rattles made of container taps. A huge old fishing net and some large tyres are also being used to create seating spaces.

While groups of students are teaming up to refine the concepts for these musical instruments, other students are currently sorting out waste material to create a number of can-structures.

Can-structions are giant structures made entirely from canned foods. These unusual sculpture exhibits will also be displayed at the festival.

GreenPak, the leading waste recovery scheme in Malta approved by MEPA, is operated by Green Dot Malta. Since 2006, GreenPak has diverted thousands of tonnes of packaging waste away from landfills and towards recycling. More information on tel: 2166 0233, email info@greenpak.com.mt .