Investigating the Potential of Wastepaper and Transforming Trash Into Treasure-a Pedagogical Approach Through a Conductive Workshop

In the modern search for a sustainable future, wastepaper upcycling stands out as an important method of transforming discarded materials into valuable assets. This research article delves into the transforming experience of a group of first-year university design students of Interior Design who actively participated in a sustainability-focused workshop centered on the creative repurposing of waste material. The students of the interior design field demonstrated a strong commitment to environmental preservation by creating aesthetically pleasing interior/art pieces such as wall hangings, wall art, and various other home decor items. This research emphasizes the importance of wastepaper upcycling as a practical skill and in addressing serious environmental issues. The research presented in this paper revolves around a three-day workshop in Interior design students actively participating in the art and practice of wastepaper upcycling. In this context, apart from formal education, informal studies such as workshops have an undeniable contribution to students’ design thinking techniques. In addition to a theoretical understanding of sustainable design principal concepts and resource conservation, participants gained proactive hands-on experience with the transformation of wastepaper like old newspapers, old magazines, cardboard, etc into visually alluring interior architectural elements. This practical hands-on learning technique from the workshop helps participants gain a better knowledge of sustainability design concepts and pushes them to consider the larger implications of waste reduction and innovative reuse in their daily lives. This transformative journey concluded with an exhibition of the student's creative works. Its goal is to inspire visitors with real examples of how wastepaper upcycling may result in attractive and environmentally friendly products in interior aesthetics. Also, the purpose of the study is to investigate the impact of workshops on formal education as a method of informal learning.