# Upcycled Trash Toys Rupert Valero Makes Awesome Action Figures From Bottle Caps By Francis Tiangson | Published 2011-02-17 | Eco Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rupert-valero References: [core77](http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/us_soldier_turning_trash_into_action_figures_18579.asp) & [etsy](http://www.etsy.com/shop/rupertvalero?ref=pr_shop) These [bottle cap action figures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-top) are the make-shift works of Rupert Valero, who is a US soldier. The toys vary in size and color depending on the materials that he has to work with. Rupert Valero makes these [recycled toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/objects-from-frames) from items he finds on the army base that he's stationed at in Afghanistan. The figures stand between four to six inches in height and have [fully movable limbs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/hot-toys-2). For people that want to order Rupert Valero's toys, they can also request specific painting to be added. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 4.1/10 - Popularity: 62% | Activity: 54% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Eco](https://www.trendhunter.com/eco) ## Key Themes ### What Makes This Trend Stand Out - **Upcycling Toys:** Creating toys from recycled materials could lead to eco-friendly alternatives and a new market of sustainable toys. - **Customized Action Figures:** Offering customized painting could provide a unique selling point for action figures and other toys. - **Remote Manufacturing:** Using recycled materials and remote manufacturing could lead to more affordable and sustainable toy production. ### Sectors Adopting This - **Toy Manufacturing:** Toy companies could explore using recycled materials and customization options when manufacturing new products. - **Eco-friendly Products:** Eco-friendly businesses could consider upcycling toys as a new product line to appeal to environmentally conscious consumers. - **Military Base Recycling:** Military bases could implement upcycling initiatives to reduce waste and provide resources for toy manufacturers. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Selfie-Based Action Figures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/formlabs.md) - [Artist-Designed Toy Lineups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/art-toy-series.md) - [Customizable Vinyl Toys](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/makeship.md) - [Selfie-Centric Action Figures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/selfie-series.md) - [Cartoon Superhero Figurines](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/crimson-hawk-ranger.md) - [Limited-Edition Vinyl Figures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/limitededition-vinyl-figures.md) - [Plastic Bottle-Made Christmas Trees](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/caroline-chaptini.md) - [Custom Face Action Figures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tron-identity-program.md) - [NFT-Inspired Vinyl Toy Figures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/superbored-vinyl-art-toys.md)