The Second Life of Packaging – Creativity, Education, and Clean Air in Krzepice
Jars, salt, string... and great imagination! That’s how the eco zone looked during the Children’s Day celebration at the Dąbrowa Housing Estate in Krzepice. As part of the LIFE project "Silesia. Blue Sky Restored", eco-manager Joanna Grzyb, together with Beata Wójciów, invited local residents to participate in workshops combining creativity and environmental education.
Salt Jar Lanterns and the Magic of Upcycling
The hands-on workshop titled “The Second Life of Packaging – Salt Jar Lanterns” demonstrated that even everyday items – like glass jars – can be given a whole new purpose. Children eagerly crafted colorful lanterns, and the eco-manager's booth was buzzing with activity all day long. Dozens of unique creations were made, full of light, color, and imagination.
But it wasn’t just about fun – it was a practical lesson in the circular economy, showing that waste can be a valuable resource and creativity one of the most powerful environmental tools.
Recycled Fashion – A Showcase of Fantasy
One of the highlights of the day was the post-competition exhibition of eco-friendly headwear, designed by the winners of the contest “Don’t Burn – Design!”. The exhibition was organized by the Krzepice Town Hall in cooperation with the Municipal Cultural Center.
Hats and crowns made from recycled paper, foil, reclaimed fabrics, and cardboard amazed with both ingenuity and aesthetics. The message was clear: fashion can be sustainable, and burning waste is never the answer. The exhibition also touched on broader topics like the environmental impact of the fashion industry, overproduction of textiles, and improper waste disposal.
Eco-manager in Action – Advice for Adults
The event also served a practical informational purpose. Adults took advantage of the eco-manager’s consultation point for the Clean Air Programme, asking questions about financial support, building insulation, replacing heat sources, and installing renewable energy systems. The high level of interest confirmed that access to reliable environmental advice is in growing demand.
Community, Involvement, and the Joy of Creation
The whole event took place in a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The eco zone, led by two eco-managers, was part of a larger outdoor celebration organized by the Krzepice Town Hall, Krzepice Municipal Council, and the Municipal Cultural Center.
Thanks and congratulations went to Rafał Balcerzak, Chairman of the Krzepice Municipal Council, for the invitation and support, as well as Mayor Mateusz Kluba, and all the residents—both young and old—who visited the project’s booth.
Ecology with a Smile – Education that Works
“The Second Life of Packaging” was much more than a creative workshop. It encouraged reflection, taught that even small actions matter, and showed that conscious choices—whether consumer-based or environmental—can lead to meaningful change.
This event was organized as part of the "Silesia. Blue Sky Restored" project, under the patronage of the Polish Presidency of the Council of the European Union in 2025. It is also an official EU Green Week Partner Event.
Photos: UG Krzepice
Projekt zintegrowany LIFE "Śląskie. Przywracamy błękit". Kompleksowa realizacja programu ochrony powietrza dla województwa śląskiego realizowany jest przy dofinansowaniu z Programu LIFE Unii Europejskiej oraz Narodowego Funduszu Ochrony Środowiska i Gospodarki Wodnej.
LIFE20 IPE/PL/000007 - LIFE-IP AQP-SILESIAN-SKY