Today we’d like to introduce you to Sam Mejia.
Hi Sam, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My path to founding EcoPress Sacramento was not linear, it was shaped by curiosity, resilience, and a belief that creativity can help solve environmental problems.
I was born and raised in Sacramento, CA, and studied Marine Biology, Environmental Studies, Museum Studies, and Indigenous Studies at The Evergreen State College. I have always been fascinated by the relationship between people and the environment, and I wanted to find ways to make sustainability feel accessible rather than overwhelming.
In 2021, my life changed dramatically after a traumatic brain injury caused by multiple car accidents in a short period of time. Since then, I have been navigating multiple disabilities, chronic pain, and the reality of rebuilding my life. Creating became more than a passion: it became part of my healing. Working with my hands and solving problems through design gave me a renewed sense of purpose.
That experience inspired me to rethink what an art studio could be. I founded EcoPress Sacramento in the Summer of 2025 to transform plastic waste into art, functional products, furniture, and educational experiences using digital fabrication tools like laser cutters, CNC routers, and 3D printers. Our mission is to show that materials we often through away still have value and that sustainability can be creative, hands-on, and community-driven.
Today, EcoPress is more than a studio. It is a space where artists, makers, students, and neighbors can learn new skills, explore circular design, and see waste through a different lens. We host workshops, community events, cleanups, and exhibitions while partnering with local organizations to divert plastic from landfills to inspire environmental action. and to be part of the solution.
None of this would be possible without the incredible support we have received from our community. Grants and local funding opportunities have given the chance to turn an idea into a permanent space, invest in equipment, and expand our educational programming, as well as piloting a paid artist residency program. Just as importantly, every person who attends a workshop, volunteers at a clean up, donates plastic, purchases a piece of art, or simply shares our mission has helped EcoPress grow. This has never been a journey I have taken alone.
One of the things I am most proud of is that every challenge I have faced has helped shape EcoPress into a more inclusive space. Accessibility, education, and environmental stewardship are at the heart of everything we do. My hope is that when people walk through our doors, they don’t just leave with something they have made, they leave believing they have the power to create positive change in their community.
I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
It definitely has not been a smooth road. Two months before giving my big pitch presentation for the Calling All Dreamers pitch competition that I worked over 6 months on, I was hit by a car as a pedestrian during a solo community clean up in Midtown Sacramento. Then two weeks later, I was in a high-speed car accident on I-99. I was able to work on my injuries and disabilities enough to give my pitch presentation and we won the competition which gave us a $20,000 prize that directly funded our manufacturing tools, pilot residency program, furniture for our Old Sacramento space, and so much more.
Building a business is challenging on its own, but doing so while navigating multiple disabilities has added another layer of complexity. After my traumatic brain injuries, I have had to relearn how to manage daily tasks, adapt to cognitive and physical limitations, and accept that my pace would look different than it once did. There have been moments where I have questioned whether I could continue, especially during periods of severe chronic pain flare ups, fatigue, and setbacks.
Like many small businesses, funding has also been one of our biggest hurdles. EcoPress began with a big vision but limited resources, so every piece of equipment, every workshop, and every new opportunity has been made possibly by carefully stretching our budget and applying for grants. Those grants have truly been transformative; they have allowed us to grow in ways that would not have been possible otherwise.
Another challenge has been introducing a concept that many people have not seen before. We are not a traditional art gallery, recycling center, or makerspace, we are a blend of all three. Part of our work has been helping people understand that plastic waste can become something beautiful, valuable, and educational. That takes time, storytelling, and a lot of community engagement.
Despite these challenges, each obstacle has reinforced why this work matters. The support from our community, partners, volunteers, and everyone who walks through our doors reminds me that EcoPress is bigger than just me. Every challenge has taught me to be more creative, more resourceful, and more committed to building a space where sustainability, accessibility, and art come together to inspire positive change.
As you know, we’re big fans of EcoPress Sacramento. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about the brand?
EcoPress Sacramento is a community art studio and environmental education space where plastic waste is transformed into art, functional products, and hands-on learning experiences. We use digital fabrication tools, including laser cutters, CNC routers, and plastic recycling equipment, to show that materials we often throw away still have value. Whether someone joins a workshop, attends a community cleanup, or purchases a product made from recycled plastic, our goal is the same: to make sustainability creative, accessible, and empowering.
One of the biggest inspirations behind EcoPress is Precious Plastic, a worldwide open-source movement that has equipped thousands of people with the knowledge and tools to recycle plastic locally. Their global community has inspired makers, artists, entrepreneurs, and educators to tackle plastic waste in their own communities, and we are proud to be part of that movement. If you are curious whether someone is doing similar work near you, I encourage you to explore the Precious Plastic Community Map and connect with local recyclers and makers.
What sets EcoPress apart is that we are not just recycling plastic, we are changing people’s relationship with it. We believe education is just as important as the final product. Every workshop, exhibition, cleanup, and conversation helps people understand where plastic comes from, why so little is actually recycled, and how design and creativity can become powerful tools for environmental change.
We are also deeply rooted in our local community. We collaborate with artists, environmental organizations, schools, and volunteers to create opportunities that bring people together around a shared purpose. By combining art, science, sustainability, and technology, we are creating experiences that inspire people to take action while having fun in the process.
What I am most proud of is the community we have built. EcoPress has become a place where people of all ages and backgrounds can learn, create, ask questions, and feel like they are making a tangible difference. Every piece of recycled plastic tells a story, but more importantly, every person who walks through our doors becomes part of a growing movement proving that small, local actions can have a lasting impact.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Resilience. Building EcoPress has required constantly adapting, learning, and finding creative solutions with limited resources. There have been setbacks, moments where things didn’t go as planned, and plenty of obstacles that could have made me give up. Instead, I’ve treated each challenge as an opportunity to improve. That same mindset is at the heart of EcoPress’s mission: seeing value where others see waste. We take discarded materials that are often overlooked and transform them into something meaningful. I approach entrepreneurship the same way: finding possibilities in difficult situations, listening to my community, and continuing to move forward one step at a time. I believe success isn’t about never failing; it’s about staying committed to your mission long enough to make a real impact.
Pricing:
$35 for a workshop class
We will soon have an online store to purchase our artwork.
$5 walk-in workshops
Contact Info:
Image Credits
Aiza Leon, Sam Mejia, Precious Plastic.
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