The Trocano Araretama REDD+ Project continues a hands-on environmental education initiative. Environmental education becomes more meaningful when students can apply what they learn in practical ways.
On 24 June 2026, the Trocano Araretama REDD+ Project held the fourth edition of its recycled toy contest at Dr Francisco das Chagas Auzier Moreira Municipal School in Borba, Amazonas.
The Ecological Toy Project encourages environmental awareness, creativity, teamwork and student participation through the construction of toys using recyclable materials. By transforming items that might otherwise be discarded into new creations, students reflect on waste disposal, environmental impacts and sustainability in everyday life.
Now in its fourth edition, the contest has become an established part of the Trocano Project’s environmental education programme, building on earlier editions held in 2023 and 2025.
An Established Environmental Education Initiative
The recycled toy contest was created to help students explore environmental responsibility through hands-on learning. Instead of treating recycling as a purely theoretical topic, students are encouraged to examine everyday waste and consider how it can be reused.
Previous editions have produced a wide range of creations, including games, model vehicles and sports tables made from cardboard, plastic bottles, cans and other materials. The 2026 competition continued this approach at a new school, expanding the initiative while maintaining its core objective: combining creativity with practical understanding of recycling.
Recycled Toy Contest – Turning Waste into Creative Solutions
Students used a variety of materials that can contribute to environmental degradation if improperly discarded, including: PET bottles; cardboard; bottle caps; EVA paper; gouache paint; palm sticks and aluminium cans.
These materials were reimagined as parts of toys, games and learning tools. This process helped students think about the lifecycle of everyday items and connect classroom learning with real-world issues such as waste generation, pollution and responsible consumption.
Creativity, Sustainability and Learning
The competition was organised in collaboration with school staff and teachers. Before the event, the Trocano Project team met with students from Years 6 to 9 to explain the activity and discuss environmental issues related to waste.
Teachers supported students as they developed their ideas and prepared their entries. Participants were encouraged to consider practical questions, such as how materials could be reused, how to combine them safely and how their designs could communicate an environmental message.
This approach helped students link environmental awareness with creativity, teamwork and problem-solving.
A Transparent Judging Process
Students presented their toys to a judging panel that included representatives from the municipal education department, UAB/Borba and the local administration.
Entries were evaluated based on criteria such as creativity, sustainability, functionality, innovation, originality and quality of finish. This structured process allowed students to explain their ideas and demonstrate how they reused materials.
At the end of the evaluation, the top three entries were recognised during an awards ceremony.
The Winning Entries for the 2026 Recycled Toy Contest
First Place: 8th Grade Students. First place was awarded to 8th grade students who created a toy car using a PET bottle, bottle caps, palm sticks and water. The project stood out for its creativity, functionality and effective use of recyclable materials.
Second Place: 7th Grade Students. Second place went to 7th grade students who developed a game designed to stimulate motor coordination. Made from cardboard, palm sticks, bottle caps and paint, the toy demonstrated how recycled materials can support learning and physical development.
Third Place: 6th Grade Students. Third place was awarded to 6th grade students who created an educational toy to support logical and mathematical reasoning. The project reused the casing of an LED television, highlighting how even electronic waste can be transformed into useful learning tools.
Recognising All Participants
While three entries received awards, the contest’s broader value lies in the participation of all students. Every participant contributed creativity, teamwork and effort. The initiative is not only about selecting winners but also about encouraging environmental awareness and engagement. Students worked together, solved practical challenges and demonstrated that sustainability can be explored through creativity.
Supporting Inclusive Participation
A notable aspect of the 2026 event was the participation of a student with an autism spectrum diagnosis. The activity provided an inclusive and practical way for the student to engage, demonstrate skills and contribute to the project.
This highlights how hands-on educational initiatives can support inclusion and create meaningful opportunities for students with diverse learning needs.
Building on Previous Editions
The fourth edition builds on earlier recycled toy contests held in previous years. In 2023, students created functional toys following lessons on recycling. In 2025, 77 students participated in the recycled toy contest, presenting projects such as a handmade ping-pong table and table-football game.
Each edition has maintained the same principles while expanding participation. This continuity helps reinforce learning, strengthen partnerships with schools and establish a consistent environmental education programme.
Growing Interest Across Borba
Following the 2026 event, the Trocano Project was invited to support a similar initiative at another municipal school. This reflects the positive reception of the contest and its potential to reach more students.
Each new edition offers opportunities to improve the activity, involve new participants and build on previous experiences.
Recycling, Education and Long-Term Impact
The Trocano Araretama REDD+ Project focuses on long-term forest conservation in Borba. However, lasting impact also depends on education and community engagement.
The recycled toy contest helps communicate sustainability in a practical and accessible way. It shows that environmental responsibility is not limited to large-scale initiatives but is also reflected in everyday choices about consumption and waste.
By encouraging students to think critically about reuse and disposal, the project supports the development of more environmentally aware citizens.
The Trocano Araretama Project is a REDD+ initiative located in Borba, Amazonas, Brazil. Developed by Go Balance as part of a long-term commitment to forest conservation, community engagement, and sustainable development.
