Spotlighting Secret Twincle: Beautiful Jewellery Born From Recycled Plastic Bottle Caps

At Dezinery, we are passionate about sustainable living and celebrating Australian creators who give discarded materials a vibrant new life. That’s why we are so excited to introduce our newest brand partner: Secret Twincle.

Founded by Sydney designer Asuka, this stunning collection transforms everyday plastic bottle caps into unique, artistic earrings and accessories that bring a pop of colour to your wardrobe - while actively keeping plastic waste out of Australian oceans. The name "Twincle" is intentionally spelt with a "C" reflecting the "C" in "UpCyCLE" and highlighting the brand's commitment to creative reuse and sustainability.

Art First, Sustainability Always: Upcycled Earrings Made in Sydney

When you first look at a pair of Secret Twincle earrings, you’ll notice the rich, marble-like colour swirls, the glossy finish, and the playful lightweight designs. What you might not realise right away is that each pair is crafted from approximately two upcycled plastic bottle caps.

This "beauty-first" approach to eco-friendly fashion is completely intentional:

“I don't want these pieces to be worn simply because they are 'recycled waste,'” explains the founder. “I design each item with an artistic eye and a focus on visual appeal, ensuring people are drawn to the beautiful colours and designs first - and then discover the meaningful story behind them.”

From Street Litter to Ocean Protection: Fighting Marine Plastic Waste

The inspiration behind Secret Twincle took root during the founder’s background in the apparel industry, where learning about recycled textiles sparked a deep commitment to protecting marine life.

After moving to Sydney in 2023, falling in love with the local market culture, and participating in local beach clean-ups, her mission became clear. Seeing firsthand how urban street litter travels down stormwater drains directly into the ocean, she decided to turn ocean advocacy into wearable art.

• Local Sourcing: About half of the bottle caps are collected from her own household and donations from friends and family.
• Community Cleanups: The remaining half are hand-collected from Sydney streets and public areas during her personal cleanup walks.
• Growing Impact: Since starting the initiative in 2024, Secret Twincle upcycles around 250 plastic bottle caps every year - a number that continues to grow with community support!

The Handcrafted Upcycling Process: How Bottle Caps Become Jewellery

Every piece of Secret Twincle jewellery is handmade locally using a meticulous five-step recycling process:

1. Wash & Dry: Collected caps are thoroughly cleaned and sanitized.
2. Shred: The plastic is shredded into small, 5mm pieces.
3. Melt & Press: The coloured plastic pieces are artfully arranged, heated, and ironed into a thin, solid sheet.
4. Shape: Individual earring shapes are carefully cut from the custom recycled sheet.
5. Finish: The pieces are coated in a protective resin for a durable glossy shine, and surgical-grade jewellery fittings are attached.

Upcycling Workshops & Getting Involved

Secret Twincle’s mission extends beyond hand-poured jewellery. Asuka hosts regular local workshops - including keychain-making for kids and earring-making sessions for adults - to teach the community how post-consumer plastic can be transformed into something functional and beautiful.

Follow her journey and check upcoming workshop dates on Instagram @secret_twincle.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Secret Twincle earrings made of?

Secret Twincle earrings are handcrafted using upcycled high-density polyethylene (HDPE) plastic bottle caps collected from Sydney households, local community donations, and street cleanups.

How many bottle caps are recycled per pair of earrings?

It takes approximately two plastic bottle caps to create one pair of Secret Twincle upcycled earrings.

Are upcycled plastic earrings heavy to wear?

No! Recycled plastic is naturally lightweight, making Secret Twincle earrings comfortable for all-day wear.

Shop the Secret Twincle Collection at Dezinery

We are proud to support small-scale, local upcycling initiatives that drive the Australian circular economy.

• 📖 Read the full Secret Twincle Brand Profile
• 🛍️ Explore and shop the Secret Twincle Jewellery Collection

About the author

Sue Howes is the founder and chief sustainability curator of Dezinery, an Australian marketplace dedicated to bridging the gap between sustainable manufacturing and premium interior design. With years of experience vetting materials and advocating for circular economy principles, they developed the proprietary Dezinery R.A.T.I.N.G. system to dismantle greenwashing and help Australian consumers make science-backed, transparent choices. When not auditing supply chains or collaborating with local micro-manufacturers, they are writing about material lifecycles to make eco-conscious living both effortless and beautiful.