Singapore’s First Recycled Fortune Merlion Roars to Life for SG60, Championing Sustainability Through Art

To mark Singapore’s 60th year of independence, local designer art toy brand Uniplay has unveiled a bold new cultural icon — the Fortune Merlion, the nation’s first limited-edition 3D-printed collectible made entirely from recycled PET plastic bottles. Designed and produced in Singapore, this eco-conscious creation merges national pride with forward-looking sustainability.

Standing 18 cm tall, each Fortune Merlion is crafted from about 30 discarded PET bottles, with only 60 figures produced as part of a blind box series. Available in 10 vibrant colours, each collectible is uniquely numbered with a serial plate and certificate of authenticity, ensuring exclusivity. In total, over 1,800 recycled plastic bottles were used in the entire collection.

Launched in response to Singapore’s critically low plastic recycling rate — just 5% as of 2024 — the Fortune Merlion is more than just a collectible. It’s a rallying cry for a greener future, showing the creative potential of locally recycled materials.

Officially approved by the Singapore Tourism Board and recognised by the Singapore Book of Records as the first 3D-printed Fortune Merlion made from recycled bottles, this collectible was brought to life through a truly homegrown collaboration. Local beverage brand Yeo’s contributed a significant portion of the recycled bottles, while PlasticTinkers handled 3D-printing production. Greenfinity, under the Unigons group, upcycled plastic flakes into high-grade filament to complete the process.

The Fortune Merlion also integrates thoughtful design details — from magnetic components and swappable charms representing values like wealth, longevity, and romance, to its symbolic “bubble” emerging from the Merlion’s mouth, a tribute to flowing water and prosperity. Even the packaging reflects eco-conscious design with recycled paper and auspicious Chinese wordplay, reinterpreting traditionally unlucky numbers like 4 and 14 into positive cultural messages.

The exclusive retail launch kicks off 25 July 2025 at BLAXK by ActionCity, with plans for a special edition drop at the Pop Toy Show at Marina Bay Sands from 22 to 24 August. Looking ahead, Uniplay is exploring future collaborations with local brands to develop new iterations of the Fortune Merlion that continue to celebrate Singaporean identity.

Led by Joe Chua, co-founder of Uniplay and Unigons, the Fortune Merlion signals a growing movement to turn waste into wonder. Together, Uniplay and Unigons aim to create a circular design ecosystem where recycled plastic is transformed into meaningful objects — from art toys to lifestyle products — all proudly made in Singapore.