Circular Connect
Circular Connect
[Workshop 3] Upcycle and Create: Turning Waste into Value
During the workshop, we explored how everyday materials can be repaired, reused, redesigned, and transformed into something new instead of being thrown away.
Through hands-on activities, participants had the opportunity to explore upcycling and circular design, learn about basic soldering, work with plumbing pipes and fittings, and discover practical ways to extend the life of materials and reduce waste.
We also looked at real-world examples of businesses and organizations finding creative ways to keep products, materials, and food in use for longer.
Once you’ve completed the workshop, please complete our post-workshop survey:
https://forms.gle/DBsZpKGLiET68Yso8
We truly appreciate you taking the time to participate, learn new skills, and explore how everyday items and materials can be given a second life rather than sent to landfill.
Case Examples from the Workshop
WearSOS
WearSOS demonstrates how materials that have reached the end of one useful life can become the beginning of another.
The company gives retired materials, including materials from aircraft seating, a second life by transforming them into new products.
This is an example of how upcycling, design, repair, and creative reuse can help keep valuable materials out of the waste stream.
Learn more:
https://wearsos.ca/
Remix Snacks
Remix Snacks demonstrates how food that may otherwise go unused can be transformed into a new product.
The Canadian company creates snacks using ingredients including imperfect and upcycled fruits and vegetables, showing how innovation can help reduce food waste while creating something new.
Learn more:
https://remixsnacks.ca/
Aizadfood
Aizadfood is a GTA-based food business producing dried fruits and vegetables.
Drying food is a form of preservation that can help extend the life of fresh produce, reduce spoilage, and demonstrate another way of keeping food resources in use for longer.
Learn more:
https://aizadfood.ca/
Circular Economy Resources in York Region
Repair Cafés
York Region’s Repair Cafés give residents opportunities to bring broken household items to community repair events, learn repair skills, and extend the useful life of products rather than throwing them away.
https://www.york.ca/newsroom/campaigns-projects/repair-cafe
Circular Economy Initiatives Fund Projects
Explore projects supported through York Region’s Circular Economy Initiatives Fund and see how organizations across the region are developing initiatives that support waste reduction, reuse, repair, and circularity.
https://www.york.ca/newsroom/campaigns-projects/circular-economy
Community Composting
Learn how food and organic waste can be transformed into a useful resource through composting and green bin programs, helping return nutrients to the soil while keeping organic material out of landfill.
https://www.york.ca/environment/garbage-and-recycling/compost-and-green-bin
Share, Reuse, Repair Hub
The Share, Reuse, Repair Hub is a central resource for finding circular economy businesses, organizations, services, and events related to sharing, reuse, and repair.
https://sharereuserepairhub.ca
Curbside Giveaway Days
York Region’s Curbside Giveaway Days encourage residents to place gently used items at the curb for others to take for free.
Instead of throwing usable products away, these events help give household items a second life.
https://www.york.ca/newsroom/campaigns-projects/curbside-giveaway-days
A Lendery – Library of Things
A Lendery allows community members to borrow items they may only need occasionally rather than purchasing them.
Depending on the participating library, residents may be able to borrow items such as tools, appliances, sports equipment, toys, games, and other household items.
Sharing resources helps reduce unnecessary consumption while making useful products accessible to more people.
https://www.york.ca/newsroom/campaigns-projects/lendery
Upcycling tutorials
- https://www.instructables.com/search/?q=upcycle
- https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-upgrade-your-laptop-a-part-by-part-guide
- https://www.ifixit.com
- https://upcyclemystuff.com/upcycling-clothes-the-ultimate-guide-for-beginners/
- https://www.1001pallets.com
Guides to learning skills
- https://crazylittleprojects.com/learn-to-sew-online-sewing-classes/
- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mho0M1Ns0Rw
- https://www.instructables.com/Take-Apart-an-Old-Laptop-and-Recover-Usable-Parts/
- https://www.pcmag.com/how-to/how-to-build-a-pc-the-ultimate-beginners-guide
- https://www.lowes.com/n/how-to/woodworking-beginners-guide
Keep the Circular Mindset Going
After the workshop, think about how you can apply these ideas at home and in your community:
- Repair something before replacing it.
- Reuse or repurpose materials in a new way.
- Borrow or share items you only need occasionally.
- Give away or donate usable items instead of throwing them out.
- Compost food and organic materials where possible.
- Look for opportunities to extend the life of products and materials before considering disposal.
Small changes can help keep resources in use for longer and contribute to a more circular York Region.
Funded by The Regional Municipality of York
