DOT TO DOT

DOT TO DOT is social project enabling creative people to remake the city by connecting waste recycling with local communitites in Scotland. The project is twofold: a smart, digital community and an on-site remake station. The DOT TO DOT app/mobile-friendly website allows members – remakers – to start their own community projects, exchange knowledge and share resources. It offers design service packs, workshops, events and a DIY library.

Based on crowdfunding and non-cash/cash donations, members and volunteers contribute with materials in-kind or time to get free junk-materials and reskilling via remake workshops, training courses, or online tutorials to design and test new products and projects. DOT TO DOT also connects schools, social enterprises, young designers, housing associations, community gardens, municipalities and local stakeholders to design and build live projects from trash so as to transform and remake derelict city sites into community places.

Jury Evaluation:

“Dot-to-Dot is an excellent example of real life action combined with digital applications to enhance participation of citizens and communities to reach social innovation by remaking waste in several ways. With their app – as addition to their website – in development they create a networked community in which people get connected and share knowledge, skills and services. As they write themselves: “The business model called “Trash-to-Cash” in which waste is seen as social currency, where remakers reuse junk as unit of exchange. It is aligned to socio-economic sectors prioritised by the Scotland’s Economic Strategy that links Creative Industries (eco-design), Environment (waste reuse) and ITC (social technologies). We provide design and educational services combined with donations based on crowdfunding and non-cash material/time exchange. With this approach Dot-to-Dot not only aims for social and sustainable solutions for waste, but also for new economical models.” – EYA Grand Jury Report