Tote Bag Workshop Combines Creativity and Sustainability

This past holiday season, Karen Kam used a Neighbourhood Small Grant to host an Environmental Tote Bag Workshop.

Held for residents in the growing community near Aberdeen Neighbourhood Park, the event drew over 40 participants, who received step-by-step guidance on transforming simple tote bags into personal eco-statements. The creative process sparked important conversations on the need to move away from single-use plastics, and on the dangers microplastics pose to our environment and food systems.

To make the workshop more accessible, Karen prepared stencils for beginners and utilized AI technology to help with colour matching.

She concluded the session with a giveaway, offering participants a free eco-bag if they shared their favourite Richmond restaurants. “This strategy not only served to promote the widespread use of eco-friendly alternatives,” says Karen, “but also provided a unique, organic way to support small local businesses.”

Clearly, Karen is passionate about community, creativity, and sustainability. With her project, she found a brilliant way to combine all three.