Twice is Nice

Overconsumption is a growing issue when it doesn’t need to be. We want you to rethink trash & litter by employing creativity to create something new through DIY projects! :)

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Tracks

Beginner category, Social impact, Best Sustainability, Best UI/UX

Inspiration

The world is drowning in stuff—fast fashion, single-use plastics, and furniture that barely lasts a season. Overconsumption is fueling environmental destruction, but what if we could break the cycle? Queue upcycling! Twice is Nice believes upcycling offers a powerful solution, transforming waste into treasures and fostering a more sustainable and mindful approach to consumption. We’re on a mission to prove that upcycling isn't about deprivation, it's about liberation. It's about unleashing your inner alchemist, transforming discarded objects into something truly unique and meaningful.

What it does

Twice is Nice is a beginner-friendly DIY upcycling website that provides step-by-step guides to repurpose everyday items—old clothes, glass jars, plastic bottles, furniture, and cardboard—into functional, stylish, and eco-friendly creations. Whether it's turning a T-shirt into a tote bag or a dresser into a kitchen island, our platform encourages waste reduction through creativity.

How we built it

We developed the site using HTML, CSS, and Javascript, focusing on a clean, structured design that is easy to navigate. We opted for a lightweight, static website without APIs to ensure simplicity and accessibility. Everything was built in VSCode, with a focus on responsiveness and aesthetic yet functional layouts.

Challenges we ran into

Learning HTML & CSS from scratch : For many of us, this was our first time coding a website, so we had to quickly grasp structuring and styling techniques. Maintaining a clean, organized layout : Ensuring each upcycling project was visually engaging yet consistent required careful design choices. Managing time effectively : With limited time in the hackathon, balancing coding, design, and content creation was a challenge. Team coordination & communication : As beginners, collaborating as a team with different skill levels taught us how to communicate, delegate, and problem-solve together. Using animation & styling: We wanted the site to be visually appealing, so we experimented with CSS animations and styling techniques, which took time to perfect.

Accomplishments that we're proud of

Successfully built and styled a website from scratch despite limited experience. Created a structured, visually appealing platform that showcases upcycling projects effectively. Learned fundamental web development skills and applied them in a real-world project. Developed an idea that promotes sustainability in a fun, actionable way.

What we learned

HTML, CSS and Javascript from scratch – None of us had prior experience with web development, so we had to learn everything on the fly, from structuring pages to styling layouts. The importance of UI/UX – We realized that a functional site isn’t enough—it also needs to be visually appealing and easy to navigate. Time & task management – Learning to prioritize and divide tasks effectively was crucial, especially under a tight deadline. Effective teamwork – Collaborating as a team with different skill levels taught us how to communicate, delegate, and problem-solve together. Practical sustainability – Researching upcycling ideas opened our eyes to how much waste can be repurposed creatively. Learned the ins and outs of Github, Git, and Devpost.

What's next for Twice is Nice

Expanding our upcycling project list – Adding more DIYs for electronics, furniture, and decor. Interactive community features – Allowing users to submit their upcycling projects and share tips. A mobile-friendly redesign – Ensuring a smoother experience across different devices.

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