On Friday, 7 November, in the monumental Paterskerk DOMUSDELA, the Chandelier of Connection – The Light of Change was unveiled at the opening of the light art festival GLOW: a majestic chandelier made entirely from recycled waste, officially recognised by the International World Records Organisation (IWRO) as the largest circular chandelier in the world! The artwork, created by vanPETnaarPRET and Signify, symbolises circularity, collaboration and awareness.

From Waste to Light

The Chandelier of Connection quite literally arose from the energy of the region. Over the past year, thousands of residents, schools, and companies pedalled on shredder bikes to grind PET bottles and other plastic waste into raw material for new light globes. Together with 3D-printed lamps made from recycled materials, they form a single chandelier of global significance.

It proves that waste is not the end of a cycle but the beginning of a new one — clear evidence that beauty can emerge from waste.

Rolph Adriaansen, director of vanPETnaarPRET / artist: “It’s more than just an artwork: it’s a symbol of energy, collaboration and connection. We want to inspire people in an active and positive way, to show that circularity can be fun and achievable. That’s the PRET.”

Hellen van der Plas, CEO of Signify Netherlands: “Design, innovation and technology are the driving forces of change. This chandelier demonstrates how far we’ve already come on our journey towards a fully circular future.

Rik Thijs, Alderman for Climate & Energy, Municipality of Eindhoven: “How amazing is it that residents, schools and companies from Eindhoven, Helmond and the region have transformed PET waste into art? This is literally how we build a future with almost no waste, where materials keep circulating — truly Eindhoven!”

Martijn de Kort, Alderman for Sustainability, adds: “This project was born out of co-creation — a powerful example that real change towards circularity only happens together. I’m delighted that, through the Climate Mission (a collaboration between Eindhoven and Helmond), we’ve been able to support this project to help us move faster towards circularity.”

Philips Ross, future Director of GLOW Eindhoven: “GLOW connects people through light and imagination. This circular artwork embodies exactly what GLOW stands for: art that inspires, provokes thought, and brings people together.”

Art offers a fascinating solution — transforming waste into valuable and aesthetic objects. The Chandelier of Connection, created by the region, for the region, deserves a prominent place where the Light of Change can continue to shine.

Where should the Light of Change keep shining?

After GLOW, the Chandelier of Connection will be given a permanent public location in the region. Residents and visitors can suggest a suitable location via a QR code at the artwork or through this link. The person who submits the chosen location will receive two unique recycled lamps — identical to those used in the chandelier.

Facts & Figures

• 15,000 deposit-free PET bottles processed through collection campaigns

• 25,000 PET pieces shredded by bike into raw material

• 115 kg of plastic waste reused (including 5 kg of healthcare packaging)

• 5,200 cyclists | 7 schools | 6 companies | 30 social organisations & events

• Recycling period: Nov 2024 – Oct 2025 | 43 events in Eindhoven, Helmond & the region

• Light artwork: >40 m² | 272 lamps made from recycled material

• 232 light globes (100% recycled PET) | 40 3D-printed lamps (ISCC Plus certified bio-circular polycarbonate with verified EPD, describing the environmental impact from raw material to end-of-life)

• 272 dimmable, energy-efficient LED lamps

• Goal: To raise awareness about circularity — using a world record to challenge everyone, including ourselves, to go even further and expand circular thinking.

Extra Facts

• Every light globe has a circular cap: 100% reused materials.

• In addition to the thousands who cycled, at least double that number have been reached by the circularity story.

• The 40 3D-printed lamps refer to Eindhoven’s telephone area code, 040.

• All 232 light globes have a unique code linking to the location where the plastic was recycled (see map).