Challenge:
- Sustainable management of used advertising materials
2. Creating functional promotional items in the spirit of social responsibility
3. Engaging local communities
For this project, we had the following client materials at our disposal:
1. Outdated textile advertising backdrops
2. Vinyl advertising banners
Implementation:
- Core value of the project:
Extending the life cycle of advertising materials and reusing them in a sustainable and socially responsible way, aligned with the environmental policy and image of the Szczecin Metropolitan Development Agency.
2. Objective:
To create useful, aesthetically pleasing, and eco-friendly promotional materials from recycled content – intended for use by ARMS during trade shows and industry events.
3. Project assumptions:
• Reuse of materials from previous campaigns and promotional activities
• Engagement of the local community through cooperation with a Social Cooperative for people with disabilities
• Waste minimization in the spirit of the “less waste” approach
• Emphasizing ARMS’s commitment to pro-environmental actions
• Ensuring quality and functionality of promotional products
4. Proposed solution:
Products made from recycled vinyl and textiles – totaling 59 kg of materials:
• Adapted for use during external events
• Aesthetic and durable, with a high percentage of second-life materials
• Created with a range of end-users in mind
5. Client selection:
• 150 document folders (from 47 kg of vinyl) – 99% recycled materials
• 300 eyeglass cases (from 12 kg of textiles) – 93% recycled materials
6. Environmental impact:
• Only 5.5 kg of waste left
• Thanks to upcycling, over 89,800 liters of water were saved (compared to the production of new cotton eyeglass cases)
• The lifecycle of the materials used was extended by at least 5 years
7. Social impact:
• Entire project completed locally
• 9 people involved in the production and design process
• Production took place in a Cooperative for the Disabled, supporting employment for people with disabilities.
Results:
Finished promotional products to be used by ARMS in brand-building efforts – both as trade show giveaways and practical tools for the internal team.
Brand and educational impact:
This project demonstrated that promotional activities can align with the principles of the circular economy. It’s a step toward responsible resource management and a source of inspiration for other municipal institutions.
Through this initiative, the Szczecin Metropolitan Development Agency proves that modern promotion is not just about aesthetics, but about purposeful content – supporting the city’s environmental, social, and branding goals.
You can see the results of this project here:
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7335944181359509504
