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Punta del Este + Circular Programme: ICycle Project

Punta del Este + Circular Programme: ICycle Project

As part of the Punta del Este + Circular programme, promoted by the Municipality of Punta del Este in collaboration with Ruta de Impacto and ANDE, our Year 11 Environmental Systems and Societies class has actively participated in a series of circular economy workshops facilitated by Cdor, Karina Guerrero and Lic. Andrea Ramagli. The project won second place in the competition among all the proposals submitted. 

Over several months, we applied the Circular Design Thinking methodology to identify waste generated at school and reimagine it as a resource. This is how ICycle was born —a project that combines creativity, research, and environmental awareness to design functional products from discarded materials. Among our proposals are: pencils made from reused textile fibres, safety nets crafted from disused soccer nets, cutlery and trays made from recycled shade mesh, eco-bricks using Rosemary waste, and dog beds created from synthetic grass.

Not only did we reduce our institution's environmental footprint, but we also demonstrated that waste can become a tool for change. This project reflects our commitment to a more sustainable future and is part of a competition that rewards the most innovative school initiatives in the region.  

Here’s what our student representatives have said about it:  

“ICycle reflects not only research and creativity, but also a real commitment to solving environmental problems. The first thing we did was go around the school and ask each section of staff what items could be recycled. We discovered that many materials were being thrown away that still had value, such as old clothes, broken soccer nets, damaged synthetic grass, and used cutlery and trays. All of these are commonly burned, buried, or sent to landfills, which leads to soil contamination, microplastic pollution, and even toxic air emissions. We then conducted in-depth research on the circular economy, which helped us realise something simple but powerful: “Waste is not waste until we waste it.” Instead of throwing these items away, we asked: What if we could give them a second life? What if waste could become a solution?” — Paris M.

“Each product we design solves a real environmental issue. In Uruguay alone, over 20 tons of textile waste are burned annually. Reusing fabric reduces both pollution and the need for new materials. Among our initiatives, we will create pencils from old clothes and make safety nets from old soccer nets, which often end up in rivers or oceans, where marine animals get trapped and die. Our upcycling prevents this and saves wildlife. Another product we intend to make is cutlery and trays made from shade mesh. Normally, these would become microplastics. By using waste instead, we eliminate plastic pollution before it happens. And finally, we will turn synthetic grass into dog beds. Did you know synthetic grass can take over 400 years to decompose? Meanwhile, it contaminates soil and groundwater. Giving it a new use means giving it new value. These products are important because they reduce the amount of waste our school produces.” — Joao V.

“By recycling these materials into something useful, we are not only cutting down on pollution, we are also helping people, animals, and the planet. We’re not just making objects, we’re building a more sustainable mindset. ICycle should be known about because we don’t just recycle, we upcycle with purpose and intention. Our products are safe, functional, comfortable, and made with real care. We base our designs on research, interviews, and environmental analysis. We care about the planet, but also about people. Our company focuses on what we can do for the Earth and how we can shift people away from a highly materialistic mindset. We aim to raise awareness about the environmental issues happening around the world.” — Maria Sole F.

“By choosing ICycle, you’re not just supporting a project, you’re supporting a movement. A movement of young people who believe that the future is in our hands, and that change begins with what we throw away.” — Emiliano P.

Romina Castro
 Environmental Systems and Societies Teacher

 

As part of the Punta del Este + Circular programme, promoted by the Municipality of Punta del Este in collaboration with Ruta de Impacto and ANDE, our Year 11 Environmental Systems and Societies class has actively participated in a series of circular economy workshops facilitated by Cdor, Karina Guerrero and Lic. Andrea Ramagli. The project won second place in the competition among all the proposals submitted. 

Over several months, we applied the Circular Design Thinking methodology to identify waste generated at school and reimagine it as a resource. This is how ICycle was born —a project that combines creativity, research, and environmental awareness to design functional products from discarded materials. Among our proposals are: pencils made from reused textile fibres, safety nets crafted from disused soccer nets, cutlery and trays made from recycled shade mesh, eco-bricks using Rosemary waste, and dog beds created from synthetic grass.

Not only did we reduce our institution's environmental footprint, but we also demonstrated that waste can become a tool for change. This project reflects our commitment to a more sustainable future and is part of a competition that rewards the most innovative school initiatives in the region.  

Here’s what our student representatives have said about it:  

“ICycle reflects not only research and creativity, but also a real commitment to solving environmental problems. The first thing we did was go around the school and ask each section of staff what items could be recycled. We discovered that many materials were being thrown away that still had value, such as old clothes, broken soccer nets, damaged synthetic grass, and used cutlery and trays. All of these are commonly burned, buried, or sent to landfills, which leads to soil contamination, microplastic pollution, and even toxic air emissions. We then conducted in-depth research on the circular economy, which helped us realise something simple but powerful: “Waste is not waste until we waste it.” Instead of throwing these items away, we asked: What if we could give them a second life? What if waste could become a solution?” — Paris M.

“Each product we design solves a real environmental issue. In Uruguay alone, over 20 tons of textile waste are burned annually. Reusing fabric reduces both pollution and the need for new materials. Among our initiatives, we will create pencils from old clothes and make safety nets from old soccer nets, which often end up in rivers or oceans, where marine animals get trapped and die. Our upcycling prevents this and saves wildlife. Another product we intend to make is cutlery and trays made from shade mesh. Normally, these would become microplastics. By using waste instead, we eliminate plastic pollution before it happens. And finally, we will turn synthetic grass into dog beds. Did you know synthetic grass can take over 400 years to decompose? Meanwhile, it contaminates soil and groundwater. Giving it a new use means giving it new value. These products are important because they reduce the amount of waste our school produces.” — Joao V.

“By recycling these materials into something useful, we are not only cutting down on pollution, we are also helping people, animals, and the planet. We’re not just making objects, we’re building a more sustainable mindset. ICycle should be known about because we don’t just recycle, we upcycle with purpose and intention. Our products are safe, functional, comfortable, and made with real care. We base our designs on research, interviews, and environmental analysis. We care about the planet, but also about people. Our company focuses on what we can do for the Earth and how we can shift people away from a highly materialistic mindset. We aim to raise awareness about the environmental issues happening around the world.” — Maria Sole F.

“By choosing ICycle, you’re not just supporting a project, you’re supporting a movement. A movement of young people who believe that the future is in our hands, and that change begins with what we throw away.” — Emiliano P.

Romina Castro
 Environmental Systems and Societies Teacher