These students have come up with a fresh idea -- they're building toys for children from recycled trash.

The name proposed for their business is The Second Time Around Toy Company.

"It's something different and it's good for the environment," said Thomas Tiktak, a Grade 9 Qitiqliq high school student who's from Rankin Inlet but goes to school in Arviat.

The three students came up with the idea during a business venture plan essay writing contest with Junior Achievement. It earned them first place for all of the NWT.

Tiktak and his business partners got help with the idea from teacher, Chris DaSilva.

He showed them a bus made of oil cans, wood and paint which he picked up in Tanzania, Africa while visiting there.

The three liked the idea, drew up a business proposal and things came together rather quickly.

"The hardest part was the paperwork," said Tiktak. He would prefer a greasy engine to pick apart any day over writing or typing at a computer.

He enjoys the challenge of fixing things and hopes one day to set up his own mechanics shop or garage.

In the meantime, it's making recycled toy cars.

When the students did their essay for Junior Achievement they had to answer a number of questions to determine if their business venture is feasible and workable.

They also had to indicate how they planed to market their product. Tiktak said they plan to take photos of their toys and send them to the Northern Store manager and distribute them around town.

They could also send pictures to a company in Willowdale, Ont., called Bridge Head, which sells products primarily made by aboriginal people.

To fund the project and get it off the ground, they got a commitment from the Enterprise and Innovation class at their school to supply the start up capital, about $200.

The Student Business Venture Plan Essay Contest was started in February for students age 16 and older. The essay was to depict a plan for a new business that would benefit their community in a creative way.

After careful consideration by the contest judges, one entry was found to contain the most creative and fresh idea out of all the entries.

John Parker, President of the NWT JA said the three Arviat students came up with involved creating unique toys from recycled material discarded in the community.

"The plan stressed both economic gain as well as environmental considerations. It showed resourcefulness by taking a resource available within the community and using it to create work," he said.