On 30 August 2025, 20 participants gathered at the Riot Academy in Cagliari for the BJJ gear recycling workshop, a sport-based learning activity designed to introduce younger generations to the principles of reducing, reusing, recycling, and upcycling through their own sporting equipment.
Objectives:
- Familiarize participants with the fundamental concepts of reducing, reusing, recycling, and upcycling from a young age.
- Provide leisure sport activities that deliver meaningful outcomes in environmental education.
- Enable participants to assess the lifecycle of their sports gear: identifying what is still functional, what can be repaired, and what can be repurposed.
- Develop creative and sustainable attitudes toward personal consumption.
Desired Outcomes:
- Participants would reflect on the environmental impact and resource cost associated with sports activities and the gear required to perform them.
- They would gain a clearer understanding of what actions to take regarding worn-out gear instead of simply disposing of it as trash.
- The group would develop a heightened awareness of their individual environmental impact, both within their sporting lives and in their daily routines.
Description and Implementation:
The activity began with a projector-based presentation at the gym, introducing the project’s objectives and underlying environmental philosophy. Following a series of energizing warm-up games, the topic of recycling sports gear was introduced to gauge the participants’ existing knowledge and level of concern. The core of the workshop involved a full Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu lesson. Following this, the group engaged in a structured discussion regarding their own equipment—evaluating how old it was, how it was acquired, and why it needed replacing. Small groups then brainstormed practical solutions for extending the lifetime of gear, including repair, reuse, and upcycling. The session broadened into a wider conversation about clothing choices and the environmental impact of fast fashion. A final evaluation concluded the day.
Feedback:
- Participants found the activity highly engaging and enjoyable.
- They particularly appreciated the inclusion of the sport-based component, noting that it made the environmental topic more relevant and accessible by connecting it directly to their personal interests.
Results and Outcomes – Trainers/Facilitators:
The trainers observed that using sports as a “hook” effectively draws participants into discussions on broader topics like the environment, which might otherwise feel tedious if presented without interactive elements. The event highlighted that collaborative efforts between organizations increase impact and provide a welcome diversity of participants. Additionally, involving both parents and young children proved useful, though it requires careful facilitation.
Unexpected results included the high level of creative solutions proposed by the younger participants, as well as the strengthened bonds created between children from different academies and the creation of new professional relationships with other organizations.
Conclusion and Recommendations:
To benefit the wider STELLA project and future activities, the following recommendations are suggested:
- Incorporate snacks and drinks for a common break to allow for informal bonding and interaction after the activity.
- Develop a structured plan for the inclusive participation of both children and parents.
- Prepare clear participant lists for minors, ensuring parental consent for participation is documented.
- Ensure that all necessary legal documentation is completed prior to performing physical activities with underage participants.