Participants explore how everyday choices (like accepting plastic bags at stores) affect our planet. They’ll discover plastic’s journey into oceans and landfills, brainstorm eco-friendly alternatives (e.g., cloth bags), and transform “waste” into value by making recycled plastic wallets using Fab Lab tools (irons/heat presses + sewing). This hands-on session links quick decisions to long-term environmental action through making.
After this session, the participant will:
This lesson’s supermarket scenario instantly hooks students—it’s relatable and sparks lively debate about daily choices. The hands-on wallet activity is where engagement peaks: watching ‘trash’ transform into a functional object through heat fusion and sewing creates powerful ‘aha!’ moments about reuse. Students especially connect with the emotional shift from guilt (accumulating plastic) to empowerment (making something useful). In a controlled environment, watching trash become treasure makes sustainability feel tangible and urgent.
What if there is still plastic? Let's upcycle it to make a wallet!
Here are the steps for making the wallet usingthe heat press and then sewing it. First, cut different colors of plastic bags, and gather them casually, or make a drawing
Iron them, or put them inside a heat press (NOTE: Teacher supervision in this step is critical to avoid accidents.)
Cut the plastic sheet using the wallet template
Final step, sew the wallet together and add the flap!
Here is the final wallet! YAY!
Here we will wrap-up all the activities and discussions we made today!
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