WASTE TO WONDER PROGRAM

Waste to Wonder is the main program at Upcycled and aims to engage with and educate the community on the global issue of the plastic crisis and give single-use plastics a long-term purpose by turning them into building materials. The Waste to Wonder project began in July 2021 and continues to grow each year. Upcycled has built partnerships with the Community Ecology Institute, the Savage Community Association, the Howard County Conservancy, and Howard County Schools. From these partnerships and community outreach we have collected over 3,000 pounds of plastic from Howard County residents, completed several community cleanups, and upcycled over 2,000 pounds of plastic into recycled plastic lumber in 2021 and upcycled over 4,000 pounds total. Our team also installed a combination of 22 garden-beds and benches across 17 educational and community areas in our area.

The next step for our Waste to Wonder program is to set up a Mobile Learning Laboratory. In the Laboratory, individuals on a tour or education program will be able to see and participate in our upcycling process. The mobile Laboratory will inspire community connection by creating an educational and functional space for recycling. Additionally, community engagement will increase the number of resident drop-offs resulting in more waste diverted from landfills. Our team believes that hands-on learning will be the most impactful way to help educate the community and help our organization fulfill its mission. Further, this concept of an interactive educational recycling and upcycling center does not exist in the state of Maryland and would help reinforce Howard County as the capital of upcycling as well as an area developing innovative solutions to global issues. Pictured below are a few of our Waste to Wonder installs: