Antiguan Students Turn 84,000 Bottle Caps into Commonwealth Flags for CHOGM

Nearly 85,000 discarded bottle caps have found a new purpose in Antigua and Barbuda, transformed into an elaborate display of Commonwealth flags through a student-led sustainability project launched as the country hosts CHOGM 2026.

The initiative, organised by local non-profit Good Humans 268 Inc. with support from the Sandals Foundation, brought together 698 students and at least 54 teachers from 39 schools to create the colourful installation.

A total of approximately 84,047 bottle caps were collected and used to produce 55 hand-built and hand-painted flags representing Commonwealth countries, alongside a separate Antigua and Barbuda display flag, bringing the installation to 56 flags.

The project was valued at more than EC$40,500 and involved an additional 35 individuals who assisted with preparation, construction and installation.

Production took place over 15 working days, including 10 full working days and five preparatory days at John Hughes.

The initiative has also been incorporated into the country's preparations to welcome international delegates. A large Antigua and Barbuda flag made from recycled materials is being displayed at V.C. Bird International Airport, while the full collection of bottle-cap flags is expected to adorn the Queen Elizabeth Highway.

Following the conclusion of CHOGM on November 4, the installation will be moved to six public locations across the island, extending the project's environmental message beyond the international gathering.

President of Good Humans 268, Joshuanette Francis, said the project was intended to raise national awareness about sustainability while demonstrating how discarded materials could be transformed into something meaningful.

“As Antigua proudly hosts these global leaders, we wanted to create a symbol that communicated to the world that sustainability is part of who we are,” Francis said.

She added that the organisation hopes to encourage changes to waste-management legislation, empower residents to take greater responsibility for their communities and inspire wider adoption of sustainable practices.

The project builds on a series of environmental initiatives undertaken by Good Humans 268, which was established in 2023 and has since led recycling activities in schools across Antigua.

Sandals Foundation Executive Director Heidi Clarke said the initiative reflected the foundation's commitment to engaging young people in building a more sustainable future.

“This project is about more than art. It is about raising a generation of Caribbean citizens who understand that every bottle cap, every recycled item and every small action counts towards a more resilient future,” Clarke said.

She said the foundation was honoured to support the vision alongside Good Humans 268.

Antigua and Barbuda is hosting the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting for the first time, with heads of government, ministers and representatives from business, civil society and youth organisations gathering from November 1 to 4.

The meeting is expected to attract approximately 5,000 visitors to the country, placing the student-created installation among the environmental initiatives helping to showcase Antigua and Barbuda during the international event.