Volunteers in YEE

This booklet will give you an introduction into the world of upcycling. You will be able to read more about this environmentally-friendly concept and check many instructions on how to make upcycled objects from various materials.

English version

Russian version

The Youth Top Gardeners is a club of teenages aged 15-17 who are passionate about the environment and upcycling. To show their love of upcycling they built a garden completely out of recycled materials.

One of the items they built, and one that was shown great interest at the official launch of the garden, was the door.

The door was found by one of the YTG members in the garden before it was built and it was decided that they would use this door in the garden as it seemed like a waste to throw it out.

Everyone agreed that the garden needed more than plants to decorate it so, we decided that the garden needed an art piece and that it shoulf involve everone.

We constructed a mural this year as part of a larger environmental project, in which we put together a vegetable and herb garden in our local area.

The message we wanted to send using this mural was that if young people working with a very low budget and mostly waste from home can make a difference in their local community and reduce waste then employees and employers in larger organisations could certainly do the same.

One of our goals was to encourage waste management and reduction, so we made our mural by upcycling materials such as magazine scraps, old packaging, etc and sticking them onto a large unused board we found lying around our building, thus giving them the new purpose of being our main campaign poster.

Lola Hourihane

Our idea was to create a decorative item that was environmentally friendly and promoted upcycling.

The end result was our bottle pots. The bottle pots are made using plastic bottles and wire. They are very simple to make:

1. You just cut out a square of the plastic on one side, fill the pots with soil and wrap the wire around so you can join a few of the bottles together. The bottles take up less space than regular plant pots and can be hung on walls.
2. We asked some people to bring in bottles from home, that were clean and had lids, so we could make our bottle pots.
3. We asked the others to bring in soil so we could fill the bottles.

The bottles were fun and easy to make!!

Kathryn Tolster

If you have a pair of old jeans and you don't need them, you can reuse them! Here's one way:

1. Use the scissors to cut the bottom part of one foot, cut it as in the size that we want to made the bag.
2. The other foot of the jeans you can make the belt four your bag.
3. We sew the beld with the other part of the bag than we start the decoration of the bag, with buttons or with leftover pieces of jeans

Rinalda Proko

The National Center for Community Services (NCCS) in the framework of the project "Your action might bring changes" organized an activity where the Staff of the center and the volunteer planted the flower on this plastic bottles to raise funds for the children of Luigj Gurakuqi School . With the possible founds that we will gather we could be able to organize and excursion for the children.

Instructions

1. We selected plastic bottles with a large basement
2. At the side of the bottle we used a marker to design the line were we can cut, the appropriate surface than can be enough for a plant
3. At the opposite side , which will be in contact with a flat surface, with the help of an already heated nail we open some hole. This will serve for the circulation of the water
4. We colored the plastic bottles to give more colors to the atmosphere
5. At the end we added the land and the plant

Liliana Dango

CD earrings are implemented using real earrings and stuck with CDs.
They are very nice and usable in everyday life. Easy to maintain!
"Keep the ring in my ears": - Albanian mother gives this advice often, when children leave home especially for a long time. Not to be forgotten her advice, I record in the CD and I have them with me always. This is a figurative expression, but when we use art they turn in functional art.

BLERTA META
Tirana, Albania

Diplomuar ne Akademine e Arteve.
Graduated in the Academy of Arts.

Glove Teddybear

Jeans Bike Bag

T-shirt Bag

Mobile Bag

T-shirt Rag

 Button Hairpins

Barrel Chair

Bookmark

Sock Mobile Case

Drinks Carton Wallet

Plastic Wedding Dress

Paper Windmill

Newspaper Table

Paper Bracelet

Bottle Plantpot

Shoe Dogtoy

Plastic Spoon Vase

Painted Glass Jar

Lollystick Pencil Case

Newspaper Pen

If you have an old calendar with beautiful pictures which is a pity to throw away, turn it into a fancy gift bag!

Materials needed

- an old calender
- glue
- a ribbon

A step by step guide

1. Measure how big is your gift. Usually 12 x 9 cm is sufficient. Do not forget to have some space for glue.

2. Fold the sheet along the lines (future edges of bag) and fold reversely in the middle of shorter sides. Fold also about 2 cm on the top edge inside.

3. Stick it together.

4. Measure how high should be the bag and fold the bottom edge.

5. Fold the bottom of the bag as you can see on the pictures and stick it together.

6. Fold the bottom to one side. Make holes on the upper edge and add some ribbon and tadaaa, the bag is ready.

YEE new campaign on Upcycling has started!

We want to show and promote many ideas how to make new useful objects from trash!

Check the info on our website in the special Upcycling section.

We would like to involve in our campaign the whole YEE network and all other interested people!

So take part in our Upcycling contest!

• Send us your idea for an upcycling object. Send us a description how to do it and photos.

We will publish it at YEE website and facebook page 'Upcycling Campaign'.

The inventor of the best upcycling idea can win many YEE gifts and a selected upcycled object from our list.

So start upcycling and share your ideas with us!

How else can you join Upcycling Campaign?

• Organise an upcycling workshop and send us news about it.
• Promote our campaign and show it to your friends.

If you want to join us, write to: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

There are many interesting websites and articles where you can find new exciting and useful ideas for upcycling.

http://www.upcyclethat.com/

http://www.boredpanda.com/creative-reuse-upcycling-repurposing-ideas/

http://www.facebook.com/upcyclista

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Recyclart/97844269502

http://www.upcyclemagazine.com/

http://www.buzzfeed.com/alannaokun/30-easy-and-cuddly-diy-ideas-for-recycling-old-swe

http://howaboutorange.blogspot.cz/search/label/recycled

http://www.buzzfeed.com/jewjitsu/5-great-pieces-of-upcycled-artwork-8bv

http://www.i2.pt.vu/ (in Portuguese)

http://scraphacker.com/

Has it ever happened to you that you lost one glove and didn't know what to do with the other one? Now you can use it to make a toy. You can make a teddy bear or a squirrel and offer it to a child. Or keep it for yourself :)

A list of materials needed

• - an old glove,
• - scissors,
• - pen that can write on fabric,
• - a small button,
• - stuffing (can be old wool, cotton or pieces of old fabric),
• - thread (black and in the color of the glove).

A step by step guide for construction

1. Choose a glove.

2. Draw lines on the glove with the pen that can write on fabric according to the following scheme.

3. Prepare the stuffing to all parts of the toy. We used old t-shirt for this.

4. Cut the parts. Then start sewing the body and remember to turn it inside out to hide the thread.

5. Sew together all parts of the toy. You should have a body together with legs, arms, ears and a head.

6. Decide if you want to make a teddy bear or a squirrel. If you want to make a squirrel, add the long tail. Teddy bear can have small tail.

6. Sew a small button as a nose of your toy.

7. Sew 2 eyes with a black thread. Or draw them with the pen.

8. Offer it to a child you know or keep it as your own mascot.

More photos and explanations soon in our Upcycling booklet!

Upcycling Contest winners:

CD earring	Corks for jewelery	Flower pots	Jeans bag
By: Blerta Meta (Albania)	By: Klodjana Saraci (Albania)	By: Liliana Dango (Albania)	By: Rinalda Proko (Albania)

Others Upcycling ideas:

Toy from a glove	Gift bag from a calendar	Bottle pots	Mural

Urban Garden

Check more Upycling ideas in Upcycling booklet.

Participating organisations

	Armenia	Stepanavan Youth Center	SYC is a non profit, non governmental organization founded in 2001. The mission of the SYC is to promote active youth citizenship and youth participation in addressing social, cultural and environmental issues in local communities organizing training, consultations, special projects, campaign, spreading information and providing possibilities for exchange of information and competences with their peers.
	Portugal	Organisation for the promotion of Ecoclubes	OPE, a group of 100 young volunteers, promotes ecoclubes in Portugal. The mission of OPE is to work for youth development for the environment, civil society and the quality of life. Activities are directed to promote the organization of awareness activities for local communities about the importance of their participation in solving problems that affect their quality of life and stability of ecosystems; enhance communication mechanisms between ecoclubes in order to facilitate the exchange of experiences and information; build partnerships and promoting team spirit between the OPE and other organizations; publicize ecoclubes activities to other existing organizations through various media and initiatives; promote experience and intercultural exchange among young people in the OPE, through participation in national and international exchanges, training courses and other different formal and non-formal activities.
	Albania	EDEN Centre	The EDEN (Environmental center for Development Education and Networking) center is a non-governmental, not politically oriented, not for profit organization aiming to contribute in a sustainable development and healthy environment through informing, educating and offering services in partnership with the interested actors. It works on four thematic pillars: Capacity Building, Environmental Education; Environmental Management Practices; Public Information and Participation.
	Russian Federation	AYA	AYA is a Russian non-profit and non-governmental organization with its activities based on the principles of voluntariness, equal rights of members of the organization, self-governance, legality, transparency. We organize international volunteer projects in Russia focused on environmental education and active citizenship. We also promote the idea of volunteering and ecological responsible traveling among Russian youth.
	Armenia	Khazer	"Khazer" Ecological and Cultural NGO is a public organization, founders, members and participants of which are united by the idea, according to which basis of a society self-organization, as well as sustainable development of public relations is preservation and restoration of national traditions, customs and, in general, spiritual heritage. The NGO activities are built upon the principle according to which protection and careful attitude to nature are, first of all, moral issues, which are interrelated with protection of cultural and spiritual heritage in general. The organization is especially engaged in identification of the linkage between environmental issues and human health. The NGO was also involved in environmental education and awareness raising activities for population.
	Latvia	Balta Daba	Association „BALTA DABA” („White Nature”) was founded in 2010 with a goal to promote the society's engagement in the preservation and renewal of the natural and cultural values. We dream to live in a country where people do not try to conquer the nature but gain an inspiration, an advice and a joy from it.
	Czech Republic	Youth and Environment Europe	Youth and Environment Europe (YEE) is a platform of many European youth organisations that study nature or are active in environmental protection. These member organisations come together from 26 countries. The aim of YEE is to encourage youth to be involved in environmental protection and to provide a platform where these organisations can work together.

Upcycling workshop in Latvia (BALTA DABA)

On 15 June 2013 BALTA DABA organized an annual event for new members of the association. During the event 19 young people between the ages 18-30 had a chance to participate in an upcycling workshop. The workshop consisted of 3 parts. In the beginning participants discussed why we need to save natural resources and how meaningful it is. In the second part participants were introduced to upcycling as a concept. Finally, participants applied gained knowledge in practice by upcycling different objects. Participants were most active in preparing bookmarks from old magazines. Participants left the workshop with clear understanding about upcycling and with a lot of upcycling ideas for the future.

See more photos here.

Upcycling Booklet in Russian

YEE's Official Upcycling Booklet has been translated into Russian and is available to download online for free. The booklet will give you an introduction into the world of upcycling. You will be able to read more about this environmentally-friendly concept and check many instructions on how to make upcycled objects from various materials.

Read it here.

Facebook Page

YEE has been posting ideas and updates on the Upcycling Campaign Facebook Page. 

Like the page here.

Upcycling Films

YEE's International Campaign on Upcycling has successfully created 20 short upcycling films! They demonstrate how to upcycle waste and star participants from 6 countries across Europe. The films celebrate upcycling as an eco-friendly concept and compliment YEE's Upcycling Booklet.

View the films here.

Upcycling Workshop in Portugal (OPE)

Action 1

On 27 June 2013 OPE visited Mindelo school centre to develop a workshop for about 20 children, on the theme of Upcycling. After a round conversation with participants about the value of waste, we put our hands to work to upcycle! Each one had the possibility to create their own paper bag, with step-by-step support from our Ecoclubinos volunteers. It was a very motivated activity of transformation and very interesting results have been achieved. Each child had the possibility to take their bag home, after the workshop. The main aim of this activity was to motivate young people to recognize the value of waste and connect it with nature preservation, ecological conditions and quality of life.

See more photos here 

Action 2

On 29 and 30 June 2013, OPE organized its VII awareness campaign - Rafts on the River Douro. It has been, since the first edition, a great example of a successful and usefull upcycling experience. From waste we build rafts that go down the river during two days. Upon the rafts arrival to the Cais de Gaia, on the last day, we created an interactive exhibition on upcycling, showing participants, the local community and tourists how to build their own upcycled items.It was, once again, a very enriching experience, contributing significantly to raising awareness about the true value of resources, especially waste.

Upcycling Workshop in Armenia (Khazer)

On 15 June 2013 Khazer organised an upcycling workshop in Ijevan, Armenia. More than 50 young people attended from local schools and NGOS (SOS Children's Villages, Eritasard Tavush and Huysi Kamurj). With the help of interactive discussion, presentations and upcycling movies, the workshop presented the benefits of upcycling. The participants were very creative in upcycling waste. They also bought some pre-made upcycling creations to the workshop, that they had been asked to create beforehand.

The upcycling creations were pretty, useful and some were even worthy of presenting in the museum as an exhibit. During the workshop each of the "little masters" presented what he or she had made, how and for what purpose. After the presentation all the attendees received presents and the best works were awarded with special gifts.

The aim of  the workshop was to motivate young people to consider the value of waste. This will help to preserve nature, reduce landfills and contribute to the improvement of ecological conditions in their communities.

Khazer is happy to report that YEE's International Campaign on Upcycling is supported in Armenia by: UCom; OSCE Armenia; UNDP; REC Caucasus; GEF Small Grant Program.

Upcycling at Moscow Zoo! (AYA)

On 8 June 2013 it was World Oceans Day. AYA used the opportunity to raise awareness of ocean pollution and the unbelievable 'garbage islands' that continue to grow. During the weekend volunteers were based at Moscow Zoo, delivering upcycling workshops for the public. Afterwards, children were given a special heart shape to stick over a garbage island on the world map. The idea was to symbolise how upcycling will reduce waste and prevent bigger garbage islands.

 PET - ART Veroniky Richterové Upcycling Workshop in Prague

On 18 June 2013 YEE hosted a special presentation by renowned Czech artist Veronika Richterová at Cafe V Lese in Prague. Richterová spoke about her work upcycling plastic bottles into art. She discussed her techniques, inspiration and the social issues surrounding plastic bottle waste. The presentation was followed by 3 short films from YEE's Upcycling Campaign and then some crafty upcycling demonstrations.

 Upcycling workshop in Czech Republic (Muddum Art Center)

On 15 June 2013 YEE teamed up with Muddum Art Center in Prague to create an upcycling workshop for local children.  The children made a popular board game called Snakes & Ladders out of old cardboard, cereal boxes and bottle caps. Then they upcycled old t-shirts into bags (see how here) to keep the board games safe. The workshop was light hearted and creative, completely using old materials (except for a special fabric paint).

NEW PUBLICATION: Upcycling Booklet

The official campaign publication has been released. This booklet will give you an introduction into the world of upcycling. You will be able to read more about Upcycling as an environmentally-friendly concept and check instructions on how to upcycle various materials. YEE collected upcycling ideas from its member organisations across Europe, so there's something for everyone.

Read it online here

Upcycling workshop in Albania (EDEN Center)

During the First National Environmental Film Festival in Albania (22-25 May 2013) there was an NGO market. EDEN center represented itself in an open area with a very original Upcycling corner. The people demonstrated a lot of curiosity for this corner and how to upcycle. The EDEN staff were ready to help people upcycle things that can be useful in their daily life. We hope that this day was an inspiration for all the people that visited EDEN's corner. 

Upcycling workshops in Armenia (Stepanavan Youth Center)

Members of Stepanavan Youth Center organised an upcycling workshop for 7-13 year old children at Zangak Social Center in Vanadzor. The workshop started with small introduction explaining what upcycling is. The idea first seemed unknown to them, but as SYC members started describing and giving examples they got enthusiastic and themselves started to give examples and ideas how to upcycle.
The workshop continued with practical work in upcycling. The participants created vases from plastic bottles and spoons, they created pictures from buttons and plastic cups and bottles.
At the end of the workshop, the children shared their impressions and willingness to consider upcycling and try to be environmentally more friendly in everyday life.

YEE's First Upcycling Video: Glove Teddybear

The campaigns first upycling video 'How to make a Glove Teddybear' is ready to watch! The movie was filmed in Prague, Czech Republic starring YEE's office team. Watch it here

The Official Campaign Poster

YEE's official Upcycling Campaign poster has arrived. The design illustrates how waste can be eco friendly if it is upcycled. There are so many upcycling possibilities, like the branches of a tree. You can download a high quality version of the poster here

Upcycling campaign in Albania (EDEN Center)

For the Earth Day on 22 April 2013, EDEN center organized a big event in Kucova city. They put a lot of emphasis on the Upcycling workshop in which the youth of the area participated. The participants were curious to learn more about the activity and to learn how to make different objects. This activity was an inspiration for the youth in this city but as well for the community.

First YEE Upcycling workshop (Prague, Czech Republic)

On 17th April 2013, YEE and Hnutí Brontosaurus hosted a workshop together to support YEE's Upcycling Campaign. We invited everyone who wanted to learn how to upcycle their old stuff, because we do not like waste if we can use our imagination and give it a second or third life. We met in Hnutí's headquarters in Prague, a very nice place in the city center where Irena invited us to try the amazing vegan cake she cooked.
Old T-shirts, jeans and tetra-packs were transformed into bike bags, wallets, shopping bags and book covers. By sharing our imagination and knowledge, we learnt together.
We also played the first, but not the last, YEE Upcycling video: How to transform a lonely glove into a pretty teddy bear.
Around 20 people came to enjoy the workshop. Our next workshops will take place in the Mudum art center and cafe V Lese. More news to come! 

Creating the booklet

All partners and all working teams started to work hard on creating first upcycling ideas. They took a lot of materials, scissors, glue, tape and they made many useful upcycled objects. Soon you will be able to discover how to make them through our booklet.

We are preparing now all descriptions and photos so that it would be easy for you to see how to make many upcycled objects.

The booklet should be ready in April. For now check our section Upcycling ideas to get first inspirations.

First phase of the campaign

Our Upcycling Campaign started in January with heavy planning. We had a skype meeting and decided all details about timing, division of work, plans for the campaign.

Now it's time to take action and start creating upcycling ideas! First we have to learn how to make them and then we will show others how many things you can make from trash!

YEE's International Upcycling campaign took place over 6 months in 6 different countries. It involved 7 different organisations who engaged their members and the wider public. It aimed to raise environmental awareness by celebrating upcycling as an eco friendly concept.

Upcycling is taking waste and making it into something that has equal or greater use or value.

It is a very valuable environmental concept which acts as an alternative for or a complement to re-cycling. It raises awareness of the value of objects and highlights the environmental consequences of waste and consumerism.

During the campaign we created videos with examples of upcycling, collected ideas for booklet, organised several workshops in 6 countries. We had a lot of fun preparing this campaign and invite you to get involved in it by sharing with us your ideas for upcycling.

NEWS

UPCYCLING IDEAS

INTERESTING LINKS

BOOKLET

VIDEOS

PARTNERS

Financial support:

The main funder of this project is the European Youth Foundation, The Council of Europe.

The project is co-funded by the Youth in Action Programme.