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Turning Trash into Treasure
Turning Trash into Treasure
Why You Should Care
Why You Should Care
You have the power in your hands to reduce landfill waste today!
Every item you toss doesn’t just vanish — it drags along all the water, energy, and human effort that created it. The average Canadian sends about 700 kilograms of waste to landfills every year — that’s roughly the weight of a small car, per person.
Now, imagine cutting just one grocery bag of trash a month. Doesn’t sound like much, right? But that small shift adds up to around 60 kilograms a year — nearly 9% less waste per person. Multiply that by your community, your school, your city… that’s thousands of tonnes not choking landfills.
That’s the power of upcycling.
Instead of breaking things down, we build them up. We take what’s “useless” and turn it into something worth keeping — art, function, hope.
It’s not about saving the planet in one weekend. It’s about realizing that your very own hands can literally reshape the future.
Plus, it’s fun. It’s messy. And it’s the kind of satisfying chaos that leaves your space (and your conscience) cleaner.
Seriously Cool Facts
Seriously Cool Facts
The global upcycling market is worth over $100 billion and growing every year = proof that trash is trending.
Canadians throw out roughly 3 million tonnes of plastic waste annually, and less than 10% gets recycled — meaning upcycling can pick up where recycling drops off.
Upcycling one ton of discarded fabrics can save 20,000 litres of water and prevent up to 3 tonnes of CO₂ emissions.
Studies show that hands-on creative reuse (like DIY or crafting) improves mental health and reduces eco-anxiety — basically, it’s therapy with glue.
What You Can Do Right Now
What You Can Do Right Now
You don’t need fancy tools, expensive supplies, or a Pinterest-level aesthetic.
You just need curiosity, patience, and maybe some jars!
Start Small
Start Small
Begin with something simple:
Old cans → planters or pencil holders.
Worn-out clothes → cleaning rags or patchwork quilts.
Plastic bottles → watering cans or bird feeders.
Cardboard boxes → drawer organizers or art canvases.
If it’s headed for the bin, pause and ask: “Could this be something else first?”
Make It Yours
Make It Yours
Add personality — paint it, glue it, twist it, sculpt it.
Perfection isn’t the goal. Expression is. The more “you” in it, the better it is for the planet and your spirit.
Share the Love
Share the Love
Upcycling is contagious. Host a swap, gift your creations, or challenge friends to a “trash to treasure” weekend. It’s an amazing way to build community — and you might even spark someone’s next big idea.
Upcycling isn’t just art — it’s activism disguised as creativity
Not Crafty? No Problem!
Not Crafty? No Problem!
You don’t have to turn your trash into art to keep it out of the landfill.
There are plenty of low-effort ways to give things a second life:
Sell it. Facebook Marketplace, Poshmark, local buy-nothing groups — one person’s clutter is another’s treasure (or at least their weekend project).
Give it away. Donate to thrift stores, shelters, or community swap events. Even broken furniture can sometimes be repaired or repurposed by someone else.
Wait before you toss. Make a “maybe bin.” Let things sit for a few days before dumping them — odds are, you’ll think of a use or find someone who can.
Double-check recycling options. Drop-off depots, textile recycling programs, and repair cafés exist in more places than you think.
Landfill = last resort. When in doubt, exhaust every other option first. The less we bury, the less we lose.
Every time you keep something out of the bin, even once,
you are part of the movement to turn waste into worth.
💚 Help Support Our Work 💚
💚 Help Support Our Work 💚
Your donation helps us reduce waste, create community resources, build tools for educators, and expand accessible environmental education.
E-transfer a donation to:
donate@therecyclingproject.ca
Thank you for fueling a future with less waste and more creativity.
The Recycling Project is a social enterprise. Donations are not tax-deductible but directly fund community education and impact programs.
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