UpcycleCHQ Chautauqua County's Upcycle Challenge & Festival
Reuse. Repair. Create. Inspire
12 Weeks of Creativity. Community. Circular Action
Weekly Challenge Starts March 2 on Facebook and Instagram
Turn waste into value.
Join families, schools, businesses, and makers across Chautauqua County as we build a culture of reuse, repair, and repurpose.
Partners
What Is UpcycleCHQ?
UpcycleCHQ is a community-driven initiative encouraging creative reuse, repair, repurpose, and recycling across Chautauqua County.
We believe waste is not the end — it is the beginning of innovation.
Through challenges, partnerships, and events, we are building a local circular economy movement that turns everyday materials into opportunity.
What Is UpcycleCHQ Challenge?
The UpcycleCHQ Weekly Challenge is a 12-week community initiative designed to inspire reuse, repair, repurpose, and recycling across Chautauqua County.
Starting March 2, we invite families,students &teachers, small businesses, artists & makers, and community groups to turn everyday discarded items into something useful, beautiful, or innovative.
Each week:
• A new theme is announced
• Participants create using reused materials
• Creations are shared using #UpcycleCHQ
• Weekly spotlights celebrate creativity
This is more than a challenge.
It’s a movement toward a circular economy in CHQ.
Why The Challenge
Every day, valuable materials are thrown away.
UpcycleCHQ exists to:
• Reduce waste
• Promote circular economy thinking
• Encourage creativity and skill-building
• Strengthen community collaboration
• Inspire local entrepreneurship
We believe waste is not the end — it is the beginning of innovation.
How the Weekly Challenge Works
Step 1: Check the Weekly Theme
Each week, a new creative theme is announced.
Themes may include:
• Community Craft Night
• Garden Upcycle
• Swap & Create
• School Spirit Challenge
• Maker Meetups
• Charity Upcycle
Visit this page weekly to see the current theme.
Step 2: Create Using Reused Materials
Use:
• Old household items
• Discarded materials
• Fabric scraps
• Cardboard
• Glass bottles
• Wood pieces
• Metal scraps
• Anything headed for the trash
Turn it into something new.
Step 3: Share Your Creation
Post your project on:
Instagram or Facebook
Use the hashtag: #UpcycleCHQ
Or email photos to:
info@upcyclechq.com
Tell us:
• What materials you used
• What you created
• Who participated
Step 4: Get Featured
Each week we spotlight creative projects from across the county.
Selected participants may receive:
• Social media features
• Recognition on our website
• Small prizes (when sponsors are available)
• Exhibition opportunities at future UpcycleCHQ events
Start Now
Sponsor a Week of UpcycleCHQ
Become a Sponsor of our weekly challanges.
Email: Info@upcyclechq.com
What Is Next
The Weekly Challenge is just the beginning.
UpcycleCHQ is working toward:
• Community repair initiatives
• Swap & reuse events
• Creative workshops
• A future UpcycleCHQ Festival
• Circular economy innovation in CHQ
Together, we can transform how our community sees waste.
From Linear Thinking:
To Circular Thinking:
Let’s build a creative, sustainable, circular Chautauqua County — together.