Resources
About Circular Economy
For CIRCLE-T, the circular economy is more than recycling. It is about rethinking how we use resources, materials and products so that they remain in circulation for as long as possible.
This means sharing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, repurposing and recycling instead of following the traditional “take–make–use–throw away” model. CIRCLE-T explores these ideas through theatre, creative learning and community-based activities, helping young people understand how everyday choices, creativity and collaboration can contribute to more sustainable ways of living.
Through the project, participants are encouraged to experiment with reuse, transform existing materials, question consumption habits and develop new ideas for reducing waste. Circular economy becomes not only an environmental concept, but also a practical and creative approach to learning, participation and social change.
Circular Economy Resources in Poland
Culture for Climate
- A Polish initiative supporting cultural organisations in reducing their environmental impact. Its resources include practical guidance for theatre and cultural production based on reduce, reuse, recycle and repair, including materials, transport, energy and production planning. Check it out!
Theatre from Trash – Culture.pl
- A useful collection of Polish examples showing how theatres and scenographers reuse discarded objects, costumes and set materials. Cases include productions at Teatr Wielki in Poznań, Teatr im. Mickiewicza in Częstochowa and other Polish theatres, where waste and previously used materials became part of new scenography. Check it out!
Opera Recycling – Polish Radio / Dwójka
- A discussion with Polish scenographers and theatre professionals about the practical reuse of sets, props and costumes. It gives a good insight into how circularity already functions inside Polish theatres — for example through costume stores and reusing scenographic mechanisms from previous productions. Check it out!
Circular Economy Resources in Greece
Educational Puppet Theatre Workshop
- This workshop’s success in using recycled materials to construct puppets demonstrates how performing arts can directly engage children in environmental education. Children not only learn puppet-making skills but also internalize recycling behaviors through hands-on practice. The program’s limited long-term impact assessment points to the need for systematic evaluation frameworks. Check it out!
PATARI Project: “Four Seasons” Music Theatre
- The PATARI Project illustrates how cross-sector partnerships can facilitate sustainable material sourcing for high-profile productions. Recycled costumes (constructed from plastic bags, bottles, straws) serve a dual role: as artistic statement pieces and as catalysts for environmental conversations among children and families. Check it out!
Handmade & Recycled Theatre Festival
- Fabrica’s festival showcases how community-driven events can thrive on circular principles. By centering festival programming on performances, installations, and workshops made entirely from recycled or handmade materials, the festival created a vibrant platform for environmental education. Its use of local artists, volunteer labor, and minimal infrastructure underscores a sustainable, low-barrier model for festival organization. Check it out!
Circular Economy Resources in Ireland
The Theatre Green Book: Irish Edition
- The Theatre Green Book: Irish Edition is a practical guide for making theatre productions more sustainable in the Irish context. It offers a clear roadmap for reducing environmental impact across productions, operations and buildings. The guide supports theatre-makers in moving from basic sustainability measures towards Net Zero, while maintaining artistic quality. Check it out!
Circular Costume Ireland
- Circular Costume Ireland (CCI) is a non-profit initiative promoting a circular economy in the Irish costume industry. It collects, reuses and rents costumes and production equipment, helping film, TV and theatre productions reduce textile waste and extend the life of garments. Check it out!
Re-Staging
- Re-Staging is an Irish sustainable set construction company focused on extending the life of theatre scenery. After productions end, sets can be dismantled into reusable components for future productions or community projects, reducing waste and the need for new materials. Check it out!
The Rediscovery Centre
- The Rediscovery Centre is Ireland’s National Centre for the Circular Economy. It promotes reuse, repair and sustainable design through education, research, training and practical initiatives in areas such as furniture, fashion and materials. Check it out!
Native Events
- Native Events provides sustainable event production, consultancy and eco-event solutions in Ireland. It supports cultural organisations and events in reducing their environmental impact through smarter energy use, waste management, sustainable production and reusable infrastructure. Check it out!
Funded by the European Union. Views and opinions expressed are however those of the author(s) only and do not necessarily reflect those of the European Union or the European Education and/or the Irish National Agency – Léargas. Neither the European Union nor Léargas can be held responsible for them. Project number: 2024-1-IE01-KA220-YOU-000251167