Let's rethink our waste and give it a second life. Upcycling is all about being as creative as possible. It's reusing an item to make it new and improved through painting, repairing, adding new upholstery, etc. 

Here are a few ideas to get inspired to start a project of your own.

1. Glass and plastic jars are infinitely useful. Reuse glass jars to make a DIY herb garden and more!

2. Cut plastic bags into smaller pieces to make "plarn", plastic yarn, for crocheting. Make your own plarn grocery tote bag.

3. Learn the art of Kintsugi, the Japanese art of fixing broken pottery by repairing fractures in powder gold lacquer. The flaw is seen as a unique piece of the object's history, which adds to its beauty.

Next time you think of throwing an item out, think of innovative ways to give it a second life!

• Recycling company, Terracycle, collects post-consumer waste which they then upcycle into new, usable goods. Terracycle provides upcycling projects on their website here!
• The Ottawa Tool Library hosts repair cafes which are "free, community-led events where volunteer Fixers and Menders assist visitors with repairing broken household items, including small appliances, textiles, electronics, furniture, and more!"
• Don't have time to DIY? Re4m is an Ottawa company that reclaims and rescues materials to turn it into new products.
• Read more weekly tips on our website!