In February 2025, Jamii partnered with the St. Lawrence Neighbourhood Association (SLNA) Waste Reduction Group to deliver From Dump to Dough, a creative and educational workshop series for Grade 5 and 6 students from Market Lane Public School.

This initiative invited 28 students to rethink waste through hands-on activities that transformed discarded materials into artistic and functional creations. Over four 90-minute sessions held at The Jamii Hub (February 10, 12, 19, and 21), students worked alongside artists and community leaders — Isorine Marc, May Yu, Ghader Bsmar, Carolina Rojas, and Lexley Meldrum — to turn plastic bottles into items such as pen holders, piggy banks, rockets, and lanterns.

The workshops encouraged participants to explore the 5Rs of sustainability (Reduce, Reuse, Recycle, Recover, Refuse), develop creative problem-solving skills, and apply entrepreneurial thinking by connecting art-making with environmental awareness.

The project’s impact was reflected in the students’ enthusiasm and creativity, as well as their increased understanding of responsible waste management. The program also strengthened community-school connections and demonstrated how creative learning can foster both environmental advocacy and youth empowerment.

Key learnings from the project include the importance of small group setups to maintain engagement, the value of multiple facilitators for effective guidance, and the need for clear, step-by-step instructions. While the “dough” component — linking to entrepreneurship — was left for the school to follow up on, the overall experience proved both meaningful and inspiring for students and facilitators alike.

A special thank-you goes to the SLNA Waste Reduction Group for supporting this initiative and helping bring it to life. From Dump to Dough successfully combined creativity, community, and sustainability — turning waste into opportunity and inspiration.

Interested in such partnership? Contact us HERE.