According to Eurostat in 2014 EU generated 891 million tonnes of waste excluding major mineral wastes. Major type of treating waste in that year was landfilling (47,4%), which is considered harmful for environment.
Upcycling is a process also known as creative reuse – converting old or discarded materials into something useful and often beautiful. Youth Exchange “Upcycle Your Life” which took place in Tallinn, Estonia on 15-23 of July 2017 was created to raise awareness about the things we use in everyday life and their life cycle and to empower people with the skill for upcycling.
Changing attitude of the participants from Estonia, Bulgaria, Italy, Germany and Poland towards old things from “useless trash” to “materials for new product” was essential goal for the organizers of the Youth Exchange. Participants not only tried to create their own “upcycled items”, but also were involved into entrepreneurial activity as each group had to develop their upcycling project from the scratch and sell it during an open flea market.
Upcycling might not be an ultimate solution to such challenges as climate change or air pollution, but it helps to empower youngsters to consume responsibly and to see new opportunities in area of upcycling.
“A melting pot of creative personalities with diferent and interesting ideas made this Project special”. – Dimyana Gocheva
