ecomaine today announced six finalists for its school-based Upcycle Challenge, which will award $500 to a participating student’s school, one of which included a Saco Middle School student.

The Upcycle Challenge asks students in ecomaine’s communities to use items that ordinarily would have been disposed of, to make all-new, functional ones. From 27 designs, ecomaine’s Outreach & Recycling Committee selected six finalists, based on the incorporation of post-consumer materials, the ingenuity and functionality of the new creation, inclusion of students in the process, as well as the approval from a teacher or advisor.

The finalists include Saco Middle School student Lindsay Turcotte who created a door hanger for coats, pet leashes, and many other items created from an old rake head.

Some of the other designs include an Upcycled Bomber Jacket made from old shirts and an old bridesmaid dress and a working chandelier from single-use plastic bottles, bottle caps, felt, foam, and other materials.

“We were floored by the creativity and resourcefulness of these students and their designs,” said Matt Grondin, ecomaine’s communications manager. “Narrowing them down was not an easy task, and we’re all looking forward to seeing who the winner of the 2021 Upcycle Challenge will be.”

Finalists will be voted on by users’ votes online through Earth Day, April 22, and the grand prize will be awarded to the winning students’ school club or activity of choice. To vote, go to https://www.ecomaine.org/about-ecomaine/news/2021/04/ecomaine-announces-finalists-for-2021-upcycle-challenge/