In 2025, as part of the WOW program, admin-volunteers of the Attention, Garbage Truck is Coming! Foundation carried out four local micro-grants. Different in form, but consistent in approach: instead of throwing away, rescue; instead of buying new, reuse; instead of acting alone, do it together.
Magdalena Sobczak started with a simple question: what could be improved here? In Nowe Krasnodęby, that turned into a joint playground cleanup, a freshly painted bus stop, a lesson on waste sorting, and a neighborhood get-together. There was a clothes swap, a toy exchange, a talk on sorting, and simply spending time together over healthy smoothies and grilled sausage.
Adam Tomak in Gorzów Wielkopolski took on e-waste. Literally. Kids took apart old devices and discovered that what we usually call “waste” is often parts that can be recovered or repaired.
Magdalena Flaga went for quiet and focus. In Wołomin, books that would normally end up in the bin got new covers and a second chance. “Wrapped, Rescued” did exactly that: wrapping and rescuing books for future readers.
Karolina Falkiewicz ran workshops at the Amfiteatr Community Garden where traditional Christmas tree ornaments were made using the collage technique from reclaimed materials. Working with what’s available, returning to handmade craft, and doing it together were at the heart of the meetup. The finished ornaments went into the shared community space, and the tools stayed on for future workshops.
Four activities, four stories, and one shared approach: mindfulness, cooperation, and giving things a second and third chance.
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Funded by the National Freedom Institute, Centre for Civil Society Development, under the Solidarity Corps, the Government Programme for Supporting and Developing Long-Term Volunteering for 2018-2030.