For these people, upcycling is not just a trendy habit but a necessity.Nastya Lopatiuk is one of the residents at Ostriv, a Kyiv platform for artists and architects that helps create things sustainably.
Nastya has been reclaiming and customizing old clothes since long before “upcycling” emerged. She gives old junk a new life as clothing and decorations. For her, this work is also about recycling memories and creative energy. “It is important for me to put new value into things that had been devalued and to thereby continue their lives”, Nastya says.
Nastya also cooperates with Ostriv’s founder, architect Roman Sakh. His upcycling project Plastic Fantastic produces waist packs and shopping bags from recycled banners and plastic as well as sorting stations for home use. Together they are working on the revitalization of an old factory in Zhytomyr.
Nastya has turned some of its materials into accessories. In different ways, they aim to make life more convenient but conscious.“Within Ostriv, we haven’t set any big goals for upcycling. But we want to make eco-consumption mainstream so that everyone does it”.
Author: Iryna Matviyishyn
The material was prepared with the support of the International Renaissance Foundation within the framework of the project Stories from Ukraine. The material reflects the position of the authors and does not necessarily coincide with the position of the International Renaissance Foundation.
