Free Market: the free and fair trade market of the Xena association, dedicated to reuse and solidarity.

Reuse and don't waste: the Xena association – Intercultural Exchange and Dynamics Center of Padua – has been promoting a monthly Free Market for five years , focusing on reuse and economic, environmental, and social sustainability. It's a free and supportive market without money , where participants can bring any type of unused object and take whatever they like. This helps meet the needs of those living in disadvantaged economic situations, developing a true gift economy and, at the same time, giving new use to objects no longer used, avoiding unnecessary waste. Anyone at the Free Market can browse for used objects and clothing instead of buying new ones, thus promoting the culture of reuse.

FREE MARKET XENA PADOVA

The initiative promoted by Xena was a resounding success, and the various free markets organized by the organization attracted approximately 5000 participants , including students, international volunteers, market and reuse enthusiasts, artists, and many others, who met to exchange ideas and opinions. People with diverse backgrounds, diverse backgrounds, and diverse lives: a true enrichment and strength of the Free Market. Interpersonal relationships and mutual understanding are at the heart of the initiative , especially among those who typically have fewer opportunities to meet in their daily routines. This creates a network of people who learn from each other and spread the initiative's messages and themes beyond the Free Market. The project's creators place great emphasis on the social inclusion and diversity that is created within the Free Market, also to prevent the initiative from being viewed solely from a social perspective or considered aimed only at people in need.

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WORKSHOPS FOR CREATIVE REUSE AND REPAIRS

With its Free Market initiative, Xena offers an additional space for gathering: interactive workshops where people learn smart techniques for reducing waste. These include Sart Attack workshops for creative tailoring to reuse damaged clothes, workshops for repairing smartphones, computers, and other small electronic devices, and thematic meetings on various aspects of the circular economy.

THE 5 KINGS OF THE IMPORTANCE OF REUSE

5 Rs: Rs for waste reduction , waste sorting , reuse of still-useful objects , material recycling , energy recovery . The Free Market promotes some of these important points, first and foremost reuse. Reuse is essential for giving objects a second life. These are often simply thrown away, but we must consider that if they are still in good condition, they could be useful to someone else. Giving objects a second life not only saves on waste management but also provides a significant benefit to the environment. Reuse, in fact, allows for significant savings in materials and energy. Constructing an object requires the use of energy, the production of which results in the emission of carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. By reusing objects, we can combat the current climate emergency. Reuse is also ethically and socially just and allows us to give real value to the objects we use, which are not thrown away at the first opportunity.

The project is competing for the 2019 Non Sprecare Award. To learn more about the competition and participate, go here!

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HOW TO REUSE ITEMS AND ACCESSORIES THAT WE NO LONGER NEED:

• Wall clock, make it using corks. Also available with vinyl records, plates, bottles, and old pans (photo)
• Wool socks and stockings, with coffee to freshen shoes. Other recyclables: children's toys, stuffed animals, and scarves (photos)                                                                                                                       
• Clothespins: How to recycle them in many useful ways: they can be transformed into frames, trivets, and place cards.
• Tuna cans: with creative recycling they can be transformed into wall clocks and plant pots.
• Shoe boxes: how they become storage units, colorful baskets, and dollhouses (photos)