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Help Build Auraria’s Recycled Bottle Cap Murals
Help Build Auraria’s Recycled Bottle Cap Murals
Thousands of Caps. One Massive Community Artwork.
The Auraria Campus is proud to welcome internationally recognized Venezuelan artist Oscar Olivares for a one-of-a-kind public art project coming to campus in 2026.
Known around the world for transforming recycled plastic bottle caps into vibrant large-scale murals, Olivares has created nearly 50 installations across Venezuela, Mexico, Saudi Arabia, France, Aruba, Panama, Italy, Switzerland, Germany, and the United States — reusing more than 2 million plastic caps through his artwork.
Now, the next murals are coming to Auraria Campus.
And we need your help to build them.
Donate Your Plastic Bottle Caps
The Auraria Campus community is collecting thousands of plastic bottle caps that will be used to create two large-scale murals on campus.
The first mural project is currently underway, and we are working on a tight timeline to collect caps by May 31, 2026.
A second mural installation is planned for October 2026.
Whether you are a student, employee, alumni, or community member — you can be part of this project by donating your plastic caps.
Collection Bin Locations
Bottle cap donation bins are currently located inside:
- Tivoli Student Union
- Additional campus collection locations may be added throughout the project
Look for the bright mural collection signage around campus.
What Caps Can I Donate?
We are accepting clean plastic bottle caps from items such as:
- Water bottles
- Soda bottles
- Sports drinks
- Juice bottles
- Milk jugs
- Detergent bottles
- Shampoo & conditioner bottles
- Cleaning supplies
- Yogurt drinks
- Coffee creamers
- Peanut butter lids
- Other household plastic caps
Please Note:
- Plastic caps only
- Please rinse caps when possible
- Remove paper or foil liners if possible
- No metal caps
Most Needed Colors
To help bring the first mural to life, we are currently collecting the following bottle cap colors and quantities:
🔵 Royal Blue — 2,000
🟠 Orange — 1,200
🟡 Yellow — 750
🟢 Dark Green — 600
🟢 Light Green — 500
🔵 Light Blue — 250
⚪ White — 300
🟣 Purple — 200
⚫ Black — 120
🔴 Red — 80
Every cap donated helps move the mural one step closer to completion.
Why This Project Matters
This project brings together:
- art
- sustainability
- creativity
- recycling
- global culture
- community collaboration
Every donated cap becomes part of a larger story — a collective artwork built by the Auraria Campus community.
Together, we are transforming everyday waste into something meaningful and beautiful.
About the Artist
Oscar Olivares is internationally recognized for his massive murals created entirely from recycled plastic bottle caps.
Currently considered the world’s leading artist working in this medium, Olivares uses public art to inspire sustainability, environmental awareness, and community participation across the globe.
His installations have appeared in multiple countries and continue to bring communities together through collaborative artmaking and recycling initiatives.
Follow him on instagram @olivarescfc
Volunteer Opportunities
Want to help beyond donating caps?
Volunteer opportunities may include:
- sorting bottle caps
- organizing collections
- installation support
- event assistance
- content creation and storytelling
Please email David Olguin, Director of Cultural and Community Engagement: David.Olguin@AurariaCampus.edu
Track the Progress
Follow along as the Auraria community works together to collect thousands of caps for the murals.
Upcoming updates will include:
- collection milestones
- behind-the-scenes content
- volunteer opportunities
- mural installation updates
- final mural reveal announcements
Future Mural Project – October 2026
A second bottle cap mural project is also planned for October 2026.
Additional details about the second installation, collection timelines, and community involvement opportunities will be shared later this year.
Community Partners & Sponsors
This project is made possible through the support of our incredible campus and community partners helping bring art, sustainability, and community collaboration to Auraria Campus.
Thank you to the organizations, sponsors, and supporters helping turn thousands of recycled bottle caps into a lasting public artwork for our campus community.
Interested in Supporting the Project?
We welcome organizations and community partners interested in supporting future mural installations, sustainability initiatives, and community engagement opportunities on the Auraria Campus.
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