California Model Build: Phase One Completed

Hope in Hearts launches its first U.S. recycled-plastic building model through the Trash to Treasure Recycling Initiative.

Hope in Hearts launches its first U.S. recycled-plastic building model through the Trash to Treasure Recycling Initiative.

On Sunday, October 4, 2026, Hope in Hearts completed Phase One of the California Model Build at the Simi Valley Landfill & Recycling Center in Simi Valley, California.

Through the Trash to Treasure Recycling Initiative, Hope in Hearts is leading the U.S. launch of an innovative recycled-plastic building model in partnership with Conceptos Plásticos, with support from WM and California State University, Northridge.

This milestone brought together more than 50 volunteers, students, faculty, community partners, sustainability leaders, and supporters for a powerful Community Build Day. Despite unexpected temperatures of more than 100 degrees, volunteers showed up with strength, joy, and dedication to help assemble the structure, plant, paint, beautify the site, and support the launch of this important initiative.

The roof will be completed by team members returning after the build day, but Phase One successfully brought the model structure to life.

This build represents the heart of the Trash to Treasure vision: transforming plastic waste into sustainable building materials while creating pathways for housing innovation, workforce opportunity, environmental stewardship, education, and community restoration.

The California Model Build is an important step toward demonstrating what is possible when discarded materials are transformed into resources and when communities, universities, businesses, and nonprofit organizations work together to create lasting impact.

Project Partners and Supporters:

Hope in Hearts

Trash to Treasure Recycling Initiative

Conceptos Plásticos

California State University, Northridge

Community volunteers, donors, and supporters

Hope in Hearts is continuing to build partnerships, gather support, and prepare for the next phase of the Trash to Treasure Recycling Initiative.