From Dam Waste to Classroom Tools: A Turkish School’s Circular Innovation

In Türkiye, a powerful grassroots initiative is redefining how we look at waste-and at potential. Led by teacher Evrim Karaca, the project takes discarded materials from dam construction and transforms them into blackboard erasers, created by disadvantaged female students. The result? A compelling blend of circular economy, gender equality, and educational innovation.

Each year, the State Hydraulic Works (DSI) generates around 200 square meters of felt and plastic waste during quality tests for dam construction. Instead of letting these materials go to landfill, Evrim’s school stepped in-recovering the materials and upcycling them into useful classroom tools.

The production process is a hands-on learning journey. Students lead the entire cycle: from collecting and processing materials to designing custom packaging and delivering the final products to local schools. In just four months, the students recycled 80 m² of industrial waste, produced 2,000 board erasers, and distributed 1,000 of them free of charge to 20 schools across the region.

But the impact goes far beyond numbers. The project directly supports SDGs 4, 5, 8, 10, 12, and 13 offering training in green skills and entrepreneurship, reducing educational material inequality, and promoting responsible consumption. Initially involving 4 students, the program now engages 12 female students, with the goal of reaching at least 30 in the coming two years.

It’s also gaining attention. With digital platforms, role model visits, and growing family and community involvement, the project is creating a replicable model for schools nationwide. With 861 dams in Türkiye, the potential for scale is immense.

Looking ahead, the team plans to expand across at least four provinces, apply for Erasmus+ projects, and launch awareness campaigns in partnership with public and private sectors. The ambition? To mainstream circular economy and social entrepreneurship education, especially among disadvantaged youth.

By turning waste into educational tools, and students into changemakers, this project exemplifies how small-scale innovation can deliver large-scale transformation.

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