BRAVO PROJECTS

In 2020, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BiH) formalized its commitment to the circular economy by adopting the Green Agenda for the Western Balkans, a roadmap aligned with the European Green Deal to achieve climate neutrality and environmental sustainability. According to the European Parliament, circular economy refers to the practice of “sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible.”

Upcycling is the transformative process of turning waste materials, unwanted products, or by-products into new, higher-value items. Unlike traditional recycling, which often involves breaking down materials into their basic components for the creation of new products, the term “upcycling” was coined in 1994 by German engineer Reiner Pliz who explains in the British monthly magazine “Salvo,” “I call recycling down-cycling. What we need is up-cycling, thanks to which old products are given a higher, not a lower, value.”

In an effort to mitigate the adverse effects of the global overproduction and overconsumption of manufactured products, more and more local initiatives of sustainability and circular economy are emerging. Such endeavors are also meant to foster a better social inclusion of individuals engaging in these enterprises. In the broad context of the present-day environmental crisis, art can be used as a means to draw attention towards the risks of depleting our resources of raw materials in an unsustainable way.

Plastic craftwork is more than a creative activity; it is a powerful tool for promoting sustainability and enhancing employability among adults. By turning plastic waste into useful and beautiful items, individuals can develop valuable skills, raise environmental awareness, and foster social inclusion.