Education was a core component of Upcycled’s work, grounding the organization’s manufacturing efforts in learning, creativity, and environmental awareness. Through hands-on programming, participants explored the impacts of plastic waste and the role individuals and communities play in protecting local environments.

The Waste Warrior program ran from July 2023 through June 2025 and focused on engaging youth through workshops and afterschool programming delivered in partnership with libraries, schools, and community organizations. Programs emphasized participation over lecture, using art-based projects and collaborative activities to make environmental concepts accessible and engaging. Over the course of the program, Waste Warrior reached 232 participants across 20 workshops.

Youth and afterschool sessions connected students to real-world environmental challenges through creative problem-solving, encouraging curiosity, responsibility, and a sense of ownership over local spaces. Together, these education and youth engagement efforts reinforced Upcycled’s belief that lasting environmental impact begins with informed, empowered communities.