BOSTON Artists for Humanity turned trash into treasure at its "Greatest Party on Earth" Saturday night, which raised $250,000 and had decor crafted from materials such as plastic bags and six-pack holders. The party drew 500 guests to the Artists for Humanity EpiCenter in South Boston, and celebrated the group's 20th anniversary.

According to Deborah First, who managed public relations for the event, the Greatest Party on Earth originated as an Earth Day party. This year, she said, the goal was to raise funds and awareness for Artists for Humanity's youth enterprise program.

The three-level warehouse space was transformed to reflect the theme of sustainability. In a lounge area, an overhead art instillation was made of 6,000 plastic bottles and six-pack holders. Plastic bags played into lighting fixtures. Green and yellow circles on the walls held environment-related facts and calls to action, such as "Americans use 2.5 million plastic bottles every hour" and "Re-use, recycle." And as part of the entertainment, musicians drummed away on inverted buckets.

Artists for Humanity produced the event, employing cocktail tables and linens from Be Our Guest and bringing in more than a dozen local caterers, including Baker's Best, East Meets West,  and Max Ultimate Food.