The LoopLab Experience

Someone walks in with a bag of bottle caps they've been saving. A kid, a teacher, a curious communty member. They've been waiting for this.

LoopLAB is a 1.5 to 3 hour workshop that follows the micro-recycling process: sorting and shredding material, thinking about design and mold-making, and watching plastic transform under heat and pressure into something new. Participants walk way with a finished object they made themselves.

  • Materials, design, systems thinking, and problem solving
  • Aligned with BC's Applied Design, Skills, and Technology (ADST) curriculum
  • Suitable for all ages Grade 3+, and we really mean it!
  • Delivered partly in classroom and partly in Delve's mobile recycling studio (on-site), and
  • Groups may bring their own plastic to recycling during the workshop.

By the end of the session, those bottlecaps have been transformed in front of your eyes. An exciting discovery about what's possible when you think about waste as a resource.

Learn more about Looplab

Who is LoopLAB for?

Engaging and interesting to a wide range of folks:

  • Elementary and high school classrooms (Grade 3+)
  • Educator professional development
  • Community groups and associations
  • Maker spaces and youth organizations
  • Adult community learners
  • Conference activation

If you work with people who are curious, get excited about making, and want to see how recycling happens - LoopLAB is for you!

Curriculum Connections

LoopLAB aligns naturally with BC's Applied Design, Skills, and Technology (ADST) across all grades.

  • Science — materials, chemistry, waste systems
  • Social Studies — community, resource use, local economies
  • Careers — circular economy, green industries, entrepreneurship
  • Environmental Education — climate action, systems thinking, local solutions.


Sessions are adaptable to your group's age, size, and learning goals.

Hear from Participants

"Emma is passionate, knowledgeable and is tackling a problem that can at times feel unmanageable. Emma's work and this workshop engages in that discussion while centering possibilities, and a care for environment and community. Emma encouraged the students to design for and engage with community which brought about new connections and at times surprising results."

— Devon Macdonald, WildWays High School, Wells, BC

"Anytime you can hear from an expert it is worthwhile. You sparked interest in students and you were able to answer their questions with personal experience. This was very valuable!"

— Carla French, Middle School Teacher, Calgary Board of Education

Where We've Been

LoopLAB has delivered programming to schools, community associations, and professional development sessions across BC and Alberta:

  • Prince George, BC - Plastic Fantastic, four high school classrooms and an elementary classroom in collaboration with the Northern BC Makers Collective.
  • Wells, BC - three-session series with Wells and Area Community Association, elementary and high school students working through design thinking and making together
  • Williams Lake, BC - School District 27 teacher professional development, circular economy education and hands-on recycling demonstration
  • Calgary, AB - Grade 7 classroom programming tied to waste and recycling curriculum outcomes

About the LoopLAB Facilitator

LoopLAB is designed and delivered by Emma Swabey, founder of Delve Recycled, environmental scientist, community builder, and professional agrologist with 15 years of experience in Canada's resource and waste industries.

Emma brings expertise in circular economy, climate literacy, and community engagement - and a belief that big change is possible.

bring looplab to your group

For educators, community groups, conference organizers, and others interested in hosting a LoopLab session.

Inquire Here

Become a Looplab sponsor

Help fun hands-on sustainability education in classrooms across Western Canada.

Explore Sponsorship