CREATIVE RECYCLING
Initiative

Abastan Recycling: A Community-Driven Initiative

The Abastan Recycling initiative (waste separation + environmental efforts in Tumanyan) emerged in the fall of the first season. Community members supported the idea of separate collection for organic waste, glass, metal, and plastic.

An “Eco-Corner” was organized, and Andrey Strizhkov and Alexandra Korolуоva designed a shelving system for recyclables (though it was never implemented).

We began incorporating secondary materials into our projects and workshops. During the closing festival of the first season, we created masks and props with children using accumulated paper and cardboard. These masks stayed with us throughout the celebrations of the following season. A summer workshop was launched for repurposing paper, plastic bags, and bottle caps.

Over time, artists increasingly turned to recycled materials in their work. We continue using reclaimed materials instead of new ones, transforming them into art objects and everyday items to highlight issues of consumption and resource conservation.

Expanding Recycling Efforts

In 2023, we supported a local activist initiative to install two collection bins for plastic bottles. Until 2024, we helped with sorting and transporting plastic waste. Recyclables, except for glass, were sent to Eco Gyumri and Green Green (Yerevan). Glass jars were given to locals, while bottles were handed over to a glass collector. Organic waste was taken by local residents for animal feed.

Currently, the Plastic Bakery and LUV TOPRAK workshops continue collecting and transporting recyclables from our community to Gyumri and Yerevan, where local activists ensure proper recycling.

This initiative continues to inspire and engage artists, residents, and activists in making sustainable choices and reducing waste.

Achievements & Impact

Organised:

• Separate waste collection for six categories (Abastan):
• PET1 plastic collection (Tumanyan & Abastan)
• Recycling efforts in Abastan: HDPE (2), LDPE (4), PP (5), and paper

Recycled & Processed:

• Organic waste
• Glass: Over 1.5 tons
• Compressed PET1 plastic: around 35 construction bags (Abastan, Tumanyan)

Collected for Recycling in Abastan Workshops:

• Bottle caps, plastic bags, and type 2 & 4 plastics: Over 20 kg (Tumanyan, Yerevan, Gyumri)
• Paper waste: 10 kg

Workshops & Education:

• more than 10 workshops held in Yerevan, Tbilisi, Tumanyan, and Gyumri

Opened:

• Plastic Bag Recycling art workshop Luv Toprak (Abastan, Tumanyan)
• HDPE&LDPE Plastic Recycling workshop Plastic Bakery (Abastan, Tumanyan)
• Paper Recycling art workshop (Abastan, Tumanyan)

The initiative for processing and transporting urban plastic was paused due to our departure from the factory and the lack of space for storing and preparing large volumes of bottles.