Upcycle Challenge: Holiday Edition
Deck the halls with would-be waste! The Upcycle Challenge: Holiday Edition is back for 2026!
Starting Monday, November 9th, we’re inviting residents of all ages to share their best holiday upcycled creations. Dig through the closet, garage, or recycling bin, get creative, and submit a photo of your project using the form below by December 2nd at 11:59pm. Once submissions close, the community will vote for their favorites, so make sure to share with friends and family! Check back in to see what your fellow Mainers have made and help crown this year’s winners!
Are you up for the challenge? Submit your holiday-themed, upcycled creation and you could win a $250 cash prize from ecomaine!
At a glance:
Submissions Open: November 9th – December 2nd
Voting Open: December 4th – December 10th
Prizes: Two $250 cash prizes, one for each division
Open to: all ages in ecomaine communities
What to make
Anything holiday-themed, made from repurposed or upcycled materials. Think wreaths, ornaments, wrapping paper, greeting cards, bells and baubles, or something we’ve never seen before!
The one rule: don’t buy anything new! Start with what’s already around the house, such as packing materials, empty containers, scrap fabric, old clothes and odd & ends. The goal is turn would-be waste into something festive and fun.
How to enter
Finished your holiday-themed, upcycled creation? Snap a photo (or a few!) and submit it through the form on this page by December 2nd. After your entry is approved, it will appear in the submission gallery, ready to share with friends and family before voting opens on December 4th!
Who can enter
Anyone who lives, works, or goes to school in an ecomaine community. Entries will compete in two divisions:
Youth: Ages 12 & under
Teen & Adult: Ages 13 & up
Want to work together on your upcycled masterpiece? No problem! When submitting, make sure to enter your photo in the division of your oldest team member, and note that each division will receive a $250 cash prize.
Vote for your favorites
Entries will appear in the gallery as they’re approved, so check back often to see what your fellow Mainers are making! Public voting opens on December 4th, and the top entry in each division will win $250. Winners will be announced on December 15th, taking home their cash prize just in time for the holidays!
About the Upcycle Challenge
Sustainability doesn’t start with recycling. It starts with reducing and reusing as much as possible. Ecomaine’s annual Upcycle Challenge celebrates the creative ways people give old materials new life, from artwork and clothing to everyday items and holiday decor.
Want challenge updates, inspiration, and new ways to reduce and reuse?
2025 Holiday Upcycle Challenge Winners
Congratulations to the winners of the 2025 Holiday Upcycle Challenge! Thank you to everyone who participated and shared their creativity with us.
Youth Division
🏆 Josie, Portland
Teen & Adult Division
🏆 Sydney, Portland
Learn more about how Josie and Sydney developed their winning creations and the materials they used in our upcoming blog post.
Past Upcycle Creations
Looking for inspiration? Explore highlights from past Upcycle Challenges to see how participants have reimagined waste into something extraordinary. These projects demonstrate that creativity, resourcefulness, and sustainability go hand in hand.
