OLD RAGS – NEW BAGS

Info

WHAT will be done

Description:

BRIEF INTRODUCTION
Widespread consumption has become a problem with unimaginable consequences in modern times. Plastic consumption has become common practice. Plastic is part of our everyday practices, and society’s younger strata are very attracted to consumption. From mobile phones to computers, from footwear to the simple toothbrush, from the flooring we have in our homes to household appliances, and clothing in particular. Clothing is influenced by a number of factors that greatly impact our lives, and the lives of young people/adults in particular. Climate change sets a different pace, with intermediate seasons often passing by unnoticed, where clothing worn in the spring of the previous year will no longer be needed the following year because temperatures rise with each passing day. The same thing happens with the rules dictated by fashion, at a stage of life when young people wish to affirm themselves and find their place in groups and among their peers; being in fashion obeys specific criteria and what was worn a year or two ago is now completely outdated. Items of clothing such as T-shirts are widely used by young people, often until they wear out.
According to the WWF, the “clothing industry is responsible for the extensive use of water and for pollution, and produces 2.1 billion tons of waste annually, according to the report. In addition, global clothing consumption doubled between 2000 and 2014. As a global average, every person buys 5 kilos of clothes per year, but in Europe and the United States the number reaches 16 kilos. Overall clothing consumption is expected to increase further, from 62 million tonnes in 2015 to 102 million tonnes by 2030. This projected increase in global fashion consumption will create new environmental problems and risks.”

Old T-shirt, New Bag
Knowing the reality of clothing and understanding the scale of this problem leads us to think together on ways to at least mitigate and raise awareness of the consequences. It is for this reason that this project was born – to give new life to t-shirts that are no longer in suitable condition to be used as garments, but may be reused, taking on a new form and purpose. In addition, it is very important to educate the youth so that they are aware of the problem and can develop a civic and critical attitude towards finding solutions to the environmental problems that concern us all. T-shirts, widely-worn garments, can have other uses, one being that they can be transformed into reusable carrier bags, thus avoiding the production of more waste; in particular plastic, which most shopping bags still contain.

Activity
Given the existing problem, the goal is to raise awareness among young people, and is deemed essential that these young people develop an activism that aims to solve problems and get involved in the search for answers. Young people are embedded within the problem – they are part of it – so the basis of the project will be the collection of T-shirts from family and friends, thus making them aware of the volume of unused clothes. Subsequently, these pieces will be taken to FabLab where they will be processed in order to turn them into carrier bags. These bags will then be given to trader at a Municipal Market, to be offered to customers in place of the usual plastic bags.

Start and duration
Collection of t-shirts among the school community during the first period. During the 2nd period, classes will be organised for travel to FabLab, to work on the t-shirts (cutting, sewing and printing). In the 3rd period, the Market will be visited, and the students will raise awareness the merchants, explaining the problems of plastic waste, and the bags will be subsequently given to customers for use.

Participants
Massamá, Monte Abraão and Queluz Secondary Schools

Entities Involved-Support
DSAE – Planning, organisation, information materials, support in the awareness initiative
DHSC (Resource Bank) – Project development support
DED – In contact with schools
FabLab – Project development support
Union of Massamá e Monte Abraão Parish – Transport and project development support

Location

WHERE it will take place

Country:

Portugal
- _other portuguese regions

Address:

Sintra
Largo Padre Américo
10
2745-712

Action Developer

WHO will run the show

Entity:

CÂMARA MUNICIPAL DE SINTRA
# Administration/Public Authority

How can you get in contact:

WWW.CM-SINTRA.PT
dsae.atividades@cm-sintra.pt

• WHEN

will it happen?

Dates of the proposed action:

22/11/2019

• WHY

join hands and minds to prevent waste?

Check out other actions that will cover these themes:

Reuse and preparing for reuse

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