Recycling Centre Volunteers Create Stunning Corfiot Traditional Dress For Carnival From Recyclable Materials

Corfu has gained national and international attention over the past two years, as numerous small groups of devoted volunteers have set up community recycling centres, in order to successfully combat the waste crisis the island has been facing.

Three volunteers from the Sinies Recycling in North East Corfu devoted a week of their lives crafting this intricate representation of the traditional Corfiot dress. They meticulously researched the design and found creative ways to fashion recyclable materials into the various elements of the costume.

During the Carnival festivities in Corfu town, an elderly lady approached Magdalena who modelled the dress. She was fascinated by the costume and examined every piece in great detail, exclaiming that everything was recreated perfectly: the headdress, the blouse, the skirt, the jacket, the apron, the scarf, the belt and the jewellery.

The volunteer-driven recycling phenomenon occurring in Corfu has been heralded as a unique grassroots approach which has effectively changed culture and raised awareness of individuals’ responsibility towards waste.

Everything is made from recyclables

Making the dress took three people a full week to finish. They worked throughout the day and sometimes through the night, to make each individual detail jut right.

The intricate traditional Corfiot dress

The Old Fortress in the background is one of many landmarks of Corfu, albeit the most iconic one. It was built by the Venetians during their rule over the island. You can visit it and walk all the way to the top. It also houses the centuries-old archive, the public library, the department of music of the Ionian University, a luxury yacht marina, restaurants, and bars.

Materials were chosen from the recycling centre and sorted carefully

It was tricky to recreate all the details using only recyclable materials

The team also held a sign with existing (green) and planned Recycling Centres at the time

The community recycling centers are run by volunteers and operate depending on the community’s needs but also the availability of its members.

The recycling centers have successfully changed the narrative on the island of Corfu. All three municipalities are discussing how to apply recycling properly but also the zero-waste concept.

The movement started in the spring of 2018 when the community of Spartylas made an enclosed space where recyclables could be brought, after volunteers checking the quality of the materials.

Repurposed materials turn into creative costumes

Next to the beautiful Corfiot dress, three mobile recycling centers, two lego bricks made of carton boxes and plastic containers and the ‘plastic sea’ are all costumes inspired by recycling.

The team took part in the annual Carnival procession on Corfu, making a statement on the waste issue by showing people the solution: Reuse-Reduce-Recycle!

Proper waste management is a worldwide issue, as little is known or understood by the public on the processes needed. In recycling specifically, separation is often inadequate, the materials are not cleaned or separated properly at the source (at home or at the business) and no one actually knows what happens to the materials.

At the community end-of- year presentation

Image credits: mykerkyra.com

The community-driven recycling centres educate the community on how to properly dispose of recyclable materials. The volunteers also try to trace the materials as far as they can. By separating and monitoring the quality of the materials by the people who bring their recycling together with the volunteers, the chance of the materials being properly recycled is very high.

Sinies Recycling has built a reputation

The creative community finds many ways to show how recyclable materials can make life beautiful.

You are my Valentine

A huge token of love, to the community who brings their recycling and makes all this possible

…art can be hard work

Creating art takes time, effort and high spirits that come along with a team of motivated, fun and lovely people.

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