FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Rhiannon de la Rosa believes in turning trash into treasure.

The sophomore honors horticulture student in the Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences saw how many plastic containers were being discarded across campus and envisioned a way to make a difference.

With a little paint and soil, she turns water bottles, cups and other containers into planters that she gives away to raise awareness about sustainability and share her love of plants.

“Part of our mission here at the U of A is to help build a better world, and Rhiannon’s program is a perfect example of how small actions can make big differences,” said Deacue Fields, dean of Bumpers College. “I am so proud of our students who are working every day to share the lessons they learn in the classroom to improve lives here in Arkansas.”

Rhiannon turns the discarded plastic she finds into decorated planters, fills them with soil and a plant she has grown herself and gives them away to other students. It’s all part of her philosophy to reuse, reduce and recycle while “making the Earth a little prettier.”