ACTIVITY

Upcycle your own sustainable packaging

Students design and make their own sustainable packaging using upcycled materials. They experiment with eco-friendly alternatives to plastic, such as beeswax wraps or paper-based containers, and use artistic techniques to customize and decorate their creations.

The intention is to help students understand the environmental consequences of single-use plastics while fostering creativity and innovation. The goal is for students to design functional, attractive, and sustainable packaging that reflects personal style and environmental awareness.

1

Packaging detectives (15–20 min)

  • Students bring packaging from home
  • Sort into groups: plastic, paper, reusable, etc.
  • Discuss: Which is worst/best? Why?
2

Problem awareness (10 min)

  • Show what happens to waste (landfill/ocean)
  • Introduce idea of upcycling
  • Example: eco-bricks (plastic packed into bottles to create usable materials)
3

Design challenge (30–45 min)

  • Task: “Create a better, sustainable package for a product”
  • Materials:
    • Cardboard
    • Paper
    • Clean plastic waste
    • Fabric, etc.

Rules (keep it simple):

  • Must be reusable OR recyclable
  • Must protect the product
4

Step 4 – Build & test (30 min)

  • Students create prototypes
  • Test:
    • Can it hold something?
    • Is it strong?
    • Easy to use?
5

Step 5 – Present & reflect (15–20 min)

  • Each group explains:
    • What they made
    • Why it’s more sustainable
  • Class votes or gives feedback

Didactic tips:

• Encourage personal artistic expression while discussing practical design needs.
• Use art materials made from recycled or natural sources.
• Let students name their “brand” and create simple labels or logos.
• Combine with lessons on graphic design, marketing, or sustainability campaigns.

GreenComp: creative thinking, design thinking
You must be logged in to use this feature.
InvestigateCreateAct
THEME:
Food & beverage
TIME: 100 - 120 minutes
AGE: 10-12 years, 13-15 years

SUBJECTS:

  • Nature sciences
  • Home economics

TOOLS / MATERIALS:

• Recycled paper, cardboard, and fabric scraps
• Beeswax pellets or sheets
• Baking paper and oven (for melting wax)
• Brushes, scissors, rulers, glue
• Natural dyes, watercolor, or eco-friendly paints
• Stamps, markers, stencils, and decorative materials
• Jars, twine, and reusable containers
• (optional) Natural oils for flexibility

Resources (to be uploaded):
• Video: “DIY Beeswax Wrap Tutorial”
• Inspiration board or Pinterest collection of upcycled packaging ideas
• Worksheet: “Design your own packaging”
• Website: local recycling and upcycling guidelines

METHODS:

RESOURCES: