In most Asian cultures, one’s last rites are deemed as essential as the celebration of birth. In times of the coronavirus, however, giving loved ones the proper send-off has been nothing short of challenging.

In many parts of Thailand, however, where Buddhist monks are involved in cremations instead of priests, people have found a creative solution. A textile company called Thai Taffeta is recycling used PET bottles into a yarn, which is then woven into a fabric. This fabric then is dyed and made waterproof – to ultimately create orange-coloured personal protective equipment (PPE) for monks carrying out cremations, particularly of people who passed away due to the virus.

Monks in Thailand have been helping anyone and everyone suffering in these difficult time using PPE – though not always made with recycled plastic bottles.