Halabja art teacher turns waste into function by repurposing discarded tires

HALABJA – In a unique environmental initiative, a high school art teacher in the city of Khurmal, Halabja Governorate, has found a creative way to turn waste into art by transforming discarded tires into planters, chairs, and desks for his students. “I’ve turned enemies of the environment into friends of nature,” says Hawkar Gulpi, the teacher behind the project.

For the past two years, Gulpi has been collecting old, unusable tires to prevent them from polluting the environment. Instead, he repurposes them into colorful, functional items for Khurmal High School. “Before being discarded into nature, these tires—made from harmful chemicals—could be turned into something useful,” he told 964media.

Gulpi has used more than 150 discarded tires to create 34 large planters, along with sets of chairs and desks. Many of these now decorate the school corridors, filled with flowers and adding color to the space.

“I care as much about protecting these items as I do about preventing them from becoming environmental waste,” Gulpi says, encouraging his students to take pride in their new surroundings. He used ropes and colored wires to bind the tires together, adding intricate designs, and repurposed some by cutting them into smaller pieces for decorations.

The chairs and desks are now used in the school’s garden and meeting areas, creating a more inviting and lively environment. “By incorporating artistic designs, we aim to enhance not only the school’s aesthetics but also the well-being of the students,” Gulpi added.