Turn junk into awesome
Get creative and reimagine waste! Upcycling is all about giving tired, broken, or unwanted items a second life. It saves money, helps the planet, and best of all—you end up with something totally one-of-a-kind.
This year, The Blue Door has teamed up with Repost, Trillo Metals and Marlborough District Council to challenge Marlburians of all ages to get creative and give upcycling a go. It’s free to enter, fun to do, and open to everyone!
How to join the fun in 3 easy steps
Step 1. Gather your crew – This could be your school class, your workmates, your crafty friends, or just you going solo.
Step 2. Make your masterpiece – Make use of used, damaged, or discarded goods to create anything! It could be functional, arty, or completely wild. It could be small to humongous!
Step 3. Submit your entry – The challenge runs from 1 February to 10 April 2026 (5pm cut-off!). This is a 10 week period to do your thing. You can submit your entry at any time with:
- Before and after photos
- A list of materials used
- A quick note about your inspiration and process
Judging and prizes
Entries will be judged on:
- Creativity and originality
- Transformation of materials
- Craftsmanship
- Sustainability impact
Thanks to our generous sponsors, we’ve got prize packs worth over $350 for each winner category!
Winners: $250 cash and a $100 Blue Door instore spending voucher
Runners-up: $50 Blue Door instore spending voucher
Who can enter?
Open to all Marlborough residents
No entry fee
One entry per person/group
Categories:
- School team ages up to 13
- School team ages 14–18
- Group
- Individual
Need inspiration?
- Hunt through your home, garage, or office for your “junk”
- Ask local businesses for leftover materials
- Find treasures at The Blue Door and other secondhand good shops
- Jump online and search Upcycling Projects for ideas
Submissions
- Open: 1 February 2026
- Close: 10 April 2026, 5pm
- Submit online: Complete the online entry form including images of your creation any time up until 10 April. See the Terms and Conditions
Who’s judging?
A panel from:
- The Blue Door
- Repost
- Trillo Metals
- Marlborough District Council
What happens after?
- Judges review entries
- Winners and Runner Ups announced by email on 22 April. That’s Earth Day!
- Prize-giving ceremony at The Blue Door
- Where possible, entries will be displayed in-store for two weeks—so the whole community can see your Upcycling magic!
Questions?
Email us: info@thebluedoor.co.nz
Pop into The Blue Door store and chat with our help desk team Or call our Upcycling Hotline: 0273499801
Terms and conditions
These Terms and Conditions apply to all entries in the Marlborough Upcycling Challenge 2026.
By entering, you agree to follow the rules set out by The Blue Door, the Organiser of this competition.
1. Eligibility
Open to residents in Marlborough at the time of entry.
Categories:
School Team (ages up to 13)
School Team (ages 14–17)
Group (any age)
Individual (any age)
Entrants under 18 must have permission from a parent/guardian or teacher.
One entry per person or group.
2. Entry Requirements
Entry is free of charge.
Submissions must be made online at bluedoor.nz website between 1 February – 10 April 2026
(5:00pm cut-off).
Each entry must include:
The name of the entrant or entrants. The leader of each school team or group will need to certify that entrants under the age of 18 have obtained permission to participate.
Before and after photos of your project
A list of materials used
A short description of your inspiration and process
Entries must be made from used, damaged, or discarded materials. Essential construction items (eg. nails, glue, screws) are allowed where they are essential.
Your entry must be created during the challenge period (1 February – 10 April 2026).
3. Judging
Entries will be judged by representatives from:
The Blue Door
Marlborough District Council
Repost
Trillo Metals
Judging criteria:
Creativity and originality
Transformation of materials
Craftsmanship
Sustainability impact
Unaided work (guidance allowed, but the core design must be by the entrant/s)
The judges’ decision is final with all entrants being advised by email the category winners and runners up, on Wednesday 22 April 2026.
4. Prizes
Winners (1 per category) will receive a prize pack of $250 cash and a $100 Blue Door instore spending voucher.
Runners-up will receive a $50 Blue Door voucher.
Prizes are non-refundable, non-exchangeable, and non-transferable.
Winners will be notified by telephone and/or email the week leading up to 22 April 2026.
5. Intellectual Property and Use of Entries
By entering, you give The Blue Door permission to:
Display your entry instore and online (website, Facebook, Instagram, media) following the competition for a period of up to two weeks.
Use your photos and description for promotional purposes.
You will always be credited where possible.
You retain ownership of your work.
6. General Rules
The organisers are not responsible for late, incomplete, or lost online entry submissions.
The organisers reserve the right to:
Disqualify entries that do not meet the rules.
Modify, extend, or cancel the competition if necessary.
Any personal information collected will be used solely for the purpose of administering this competition and will not be shared with third parties.
7. Liability
Participants take part in the challenge at their own risk.
Neither The Blue Door, judges or other organisers or person acting for them will be liable for any loss, damage, or other liability to an entrant. They are not responsible for any injury, loss, or damage resulting from participation.
Please take care when handling tools, equipment, or materials.
8. Other
Any matter not expressly specified in these Rules which may require decision for the functioning of the competition shall be decided by the Organiser in their sole discretion in a fair way consistent with the voluntary and public nature of the promotion.
The Marlborough Upcycling Project is an initiative of The Blue Door and is proudly supported by Marlborough District Council and the prize sponsors, Repost and Trillo Metals.
