BRIEF INTRODUCTION
Modern society in developed countries is characterised by massive and widespread consumption. Consumption has a significant impact on the Planet’s resources, depleting them on the one hand while on the other making it impossible for the Earth to absorb the resulting waste. Man himself is not finding solutions for end-of-life or disposable products. Over time, worldwide clothing consumption has increased markedly, made worse by the increased use of textile fibres over synthetic fibres, that is, the increased use of plastic. According to the APA (Portuguese Environment Agency), the Portuguese throw 200 000 tonnes of clothes into the rubbish bin every year. In 2017, around 200 756 tonnes of textiles were collected from general waste containers, mostly synthetic clothing.
CONTEXT
Presently, clothing containers are distributed all over the County, either by specific institutions or the Municipality itself. Sintra City Council’s Banco de Recursos [Resource Bank] regularly accepts clothing, some of which cannot be worn, and thus requires solutions to prevent it from reaching end-of-life and being sent for recycling. This project was developed on the basis of this idea. The volume of clothes arriving at the Resource Bank justifies finding solutions for this waste. Accordingly, and because coats are often among the collected clothing, an activity can be developed to reuse such garments.
ACTIVITY
Bearing in mind that there are garments in the Resource Bank, that FabLab makes several sewing machines available to the general population, and considering the number of animals housed in associations, and more specifically in the Veterinary Medical Office, a project has been devised to build beds for cats in shelters. The intent is to invite the general population, in particular day centre and Senior University users in the civil parishes of Massamá e Monte Abraão, which can be extended to other participants. The materials to be used will be chosen at the Resource Bank, and most of the clothing (lining and padding) has already been selected. On selected days, animal beds will be made at FabLab using existing sewing machines and with the support of volunteers from the Movimento Claro Sintra [Sintra Claro Movement]. The Union of Massamá e Monte Abraão Civil Parishes is providing the materials needed for making the cat beds (thread, scissors, etc.).
START AND DURATION
The 11th edition of European Waste Reduction Week 2019 will take place from 16 to 24 November, and its mission is to develop awareness initiatives aimed at reducing waste. The focus will be on the 3 Rs – Reducing consumption, as the main goal, Reusing the materials already produced, and Recycling as the ultimate purpose for waste. The announced activity meets the goals required by this event. Consumption is reduced/cat beds are produced, items of clothing that can no longer be worn are reused, and clothes that, due to their condition, cannot be incorporated in the animal beds are sent for recycling. During the week in November, initiatives will be undertaken along with users of day centres, senior universities and other entities that wish to take part in making the beds.
PARTICIPANTS
DSAE – Organisation and logistics;
DHSC/Resource Bank – Organisation and participation in workshops, as well as providing space for selecting materials;
GMVM – Identification of animal associations and provision of beds;
Union of Massamá e Monte Abraão Civil Parishes – Finding volunteers, and identification of associations, volunteer transport and support with materials;
FabLab – Providing the space, making the beds;
Movimento Claro Sintra – Support and finding volunteers;