The Bornova Public Education Center’s ‘Green Transformation from Trash to Art’ initiative empowers female trainees to craft handmade items from discarded leather, raising awareness about environmental conservation.
In ?zmir, Turkey, the Bornova Public Education Center has implemented a project titled ‘Green Transformation from Trash to Art’, which aims to recycle unused and discarded leather into various handcrafted products. This initiative provides an opportunity for female trainees to engage in sustainable waste management while generating income through the sale of their creations. The program highlights the importance of environmental conservation, specifically regarding the waste generated by the leather industry.
The project’s primary focus is to transform small leather scraps, often overlooked and discarded, into functional items such as bags, wallets, belts, jewelry, and clothing. Hazal Yaz?c?o?lu Büyükhatipo?lu, a handicrafts teacher involved in the training, explained the challenges posed by leather waste. Speaking to Gazete Vatan, she noted, “Traders use whole leather sheets, and since they cannot utilize small pieces, they throw them away. These scraps are used as fuel in certain places. We thought, ‘What can we do to prevent this?’ and ‘How can we turn even the smallest piece of leather into a product?'” This led to the inception of the project, where trainees engage in completely handmade production, using no machinery in the process.
Büyükhatipo?lu elaborated on the significance of the project, stating, “If we do not convert it and present it as a product, when it goes into the trash, it emits carbon monoxide into the air. It poses a significant danger.” She emphasized that leather does not decompose easily and highlighted the environmental benefits of recycling these materials, asserting that “less trash means more life.”
The program has drawn interest from individuals of various backgrounds, including retirees and those seeking new skills. Gülserer Alt?ngüzel, a 67-year-old participant, initially joined the course out of boredom but has found joy in learning about leather work. She remarked, “I had no connection with leather at all. Now, I warn my surroundings not to throw away any old zippers, buckles, or bags.” Other participants, such as 51-year-old food engineer Nebahat Türky?lmaz, have also shared their experiences, noting, “We create molds from the models we like. Then we lay the molds on the leather and cut it. We sew them using special techniques to prepare them.”
The initiative not only fosters creative expression but also enables participants to contribute to their family budgets through the sale of their products, which they often market via social media. Yeliz Ünal, the Director of the Bornova Public Education Center, indicated that the program aims to inspire socially and environmentally conscious practices among the community, stating, “Our trainees receive education based on imagination instead of just receiving ordinary training and graduating, and they are very happy.”
The project has successfully brought together a diverse group of individuals seeking to engage in meaningful and sustainable practices, effectively turning what was once waste into valuable, artistic products while raising awareness about environmental issues associated with leather disposal.
Source: Noah Wire Services
