Upcycling together: how a building banner becomes a trendy bag
Old banner canvases are transformed into modern bags, key fobs and pencil cases. The banners that would otherwise be thrown away gain a second life.
On the occasion of World Recycling Day, ETH Zurich is drawing attention to a special project that combines upcycling, cooperation and social responsibility. The focus is on the creative reuse of old banner canvases that were previously used as advertising media on the ETH main building. To avoid waste and give the high-quality material a second life, Campus Channels has initiated and promoted the upcycling project.
In cooperation with the ETH Store and the Stiftung Drahtzug textile workshop, the first production batch was created last year: 100 shopper bags, 500 key fobs and 100 pencil cases were made from old banner tarpaulins. This cooperation combines the recycling of materials with social sustainability by actively involving people in sheltered workplaces at Drahtzug in the production process.
“When our used advertising banners started piling up, we looked for a way to reuse the durable material in a meaningful way – and to also free up space.”Silvia Greco, Collaborator, Campus Channels
The ETH units involved also wanted to showcase the production process visually to the ETH community and teamed up with the Media & Methods Lab and ETH Sustainability. Together they developed the embedded video illustrating the banners' transformation process.
Buy upcycled products at the ETH Store
Each product in the upcycling line is unique and available exclusively at the two ETH Store branches in the City Campus (MM building) and Hönggerberg Campus (HPI building).
The ETH Store has been run by the Campus Services department since the beginning of this year. The takeover has allowed the entire range to be optimised and the branches to be modernised. From now on, you can expect a cashless shopping experience with digital self-service checkouts.
Upcycling Products available at the ETH Store
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Upcycling in Style: Trendy Bags Made from Old Banner Tarps (Image: ETH Zurich) -
Keychains Made from Old Banner Tarps. (Image: ETH Zurich)
Do you have an idea how waste in your area of work can be turned into something valuable?
Write to us: sustainability@ethz.ch
All idea contributors will be entered into a draw for a bag and three keychains from the upcycling range.
The winners will be notified and, if they wish, their ideas can be presented in the next ETH Sustainability Newsletter.
Further Information
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