WHAT A WASTE!

Who we are? We are a Lisbon-based cultural and environmental association transforming textile waste into community-driven cultural experiences.
We create public programs, workshops, and collaborations that engage communities in sustainable practices while contributing to the cultural life of the city.

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30+ events organised

2000+ participants engaged

500kg+ materials reused

We collaborate with municipalities, cultural institutions, and local organisations to develop impactful public programming.

WHAT WE DO?

What A Waste Association develops accessible cultural formats that connect sustainability with participation.

Internships, Workshops & Researches

Hands-on sessions focused on reuse, repair, and material experimentation. Developing Recycling Projects (Mycelium)

Public Events

Community-driven activations that make sustainability social and visible.

Collaborations

Projects with cultural spaces and local organizations.

WHY IT MATTERS?

Textile waste is a growing environmental challenge, yet most solutions remain inaccessible or disconnected from everyday life. Our organisation addresses this gap by creating practical, engaging ways for communities to participate in change.

THIS IS NOT THEORY. THIS IS PARTICIPATION.

Upcycling Workshops

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Clothing Swap Market

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Events Promoting Sustainability

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Helping Charity Organisations

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"Magic Formula"
Bio Materials / Mycelium Research Project

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What A Waste Association contributes to the development of local cultural ecosystems by activating spaces, fostering community participation, and creating accessible public programming.

We work in alignment with:

cultural development goals
sustainability strategies
community engagement initiatives

YOU CAN SUPPORT THE ASSOCIATION CHOOSING ONE OF THREE WAYS TO ENGAGE:

WAW COLLABORATORS

The association acts as an open platform for collaboration with individuals, collectives, and organizations in sustainability and design.
Collaborators engage in projects, contributing knowledge or resources while gaining visibility within an impact-driven network.

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WAW COMMUNITY SUPPORTERS

The association is supported by a wider community.
Anyone can contribute through donations or membership, directly enabling workshops, research, and community activities while keeping the work accessible and independent.

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WAW CORPORATE PATRONS

Corporate patrons support the long-term development of the association through financial or strategic contribution.
In return, they engage in tailored initiatives such as CSR events—hands-on workshops and team building experiences that turn sustainability into action while directly contributing to our projects.

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Support enables us to expand access, develop new programs, and increase our impact.

fund workshops and storage for clothes (clothing racks, containers for a storage, sewing machines, materials and tools for sewing)
support community access and support of internship programs
scale initiatives
administrative needs and display materials
helping our partners

D O N A T E

Support our project monthly by becoming a Ko-Fi member!

OUR TEAM

Milena Kravetz

Founder \ President

Milena holds a Master’s in Fine Arts, and has works as a photographer, creative director, and founder of numerous projects. She is also a professor at university and in private institutions, and has been actively involved in sustainability and educational projects, including collaborations with organisations such as UNICEF and UNESCOs
João Correia

Human Recourses & Culture

With more than 20 years in media and digital production, João has supported people and projects across events, partnerships, and multimedia storytelling, often within sustainability‑focused initiatives. Blending creativity, empathy, and design thinking, he combines social coverage, collaboration, and hands‑on event experience to help teams communicate with clarity and purpose while amplifying the impact of their sustainability‑driven work.
Ida Antonsson

Administration

Ida Antonsson is a forward-thinking strategist with a background in Business Administration and expertise in sales, marketing, and go-to-market strategy. With a passion for diversity, equality, and inclusion, she has spent the last seven years advocating for change through student politics and volunteering, driving initiatives in internationalization, equality, and LGBTQ+ rights.
Currently pursuing an MSc in Leadership, Strategy, and Social Entrepreneurship at Católica Lisbon, Ida brings a fresh, purpose-driven perspective to her work. Her dedication to creating inclusive spaces and driving social impact makes her a vital force for innovation and meaningful change.
Rafael Ramos

Full-Stack Developer

Rafael has a Master’s Degree in Digital Design and has been experimenting with technology and digital formats since 2009.
Currently working in software development, he has been working on creation of What A Waste App.
Previously had worked and lived in different continents before settling in Lisbon in 2023, joined What A Waste in 2025 as a volunteer and in 2026 completed WAW Internship program.
Andy Mayor

Teacher

Andy is an artist, designer and craftsman from the UK with a passion for working with leather, as well as other sustainable and recycled materials.
He gained a degree in Craft Production and Design at Liverpool University, then moved to London and worked across many disciplines - product design, interior styling, fashion accessories, fetishwear and costume design.
In the last few years he has concentrated on in-store leather personalisation, and repairs - working with retail brands including Ralph Lauren, Karl Lagerfeld, Anya Hindmarch and Sandqvist.
He has lived and worked in the UK, Asia, and Australia, and has been a Lisbon resident for almost three years, where he has been teaching repair and sewing techniques across various recycling workshops and events.
His other passions are nature, electronic music and travel, - over thirty countries so far.
Sónia Sousa

Teacher

Sónia Sousa, known as @vivian_hmd and @lady.maker in the creative world, is a trailblazing designer and tailor who fuses sustainability with high fashion. Her brand, @vivian_hmd, showcases her commitment to upcycling, transforming discarded materials into exquisite, one-of-a-kind designs, while @the_ladymaker stands as a platform for empowering women through creativity and leadership.
Deeply rooted in Lisbon’s cultural fabric, Sónia has curated impactful art exhibitions and inspires others by teaching accessible upcycling techniques. As a mentor and advocate for sustainable living, she is a powerful catalyst for community building, blending artistry, education, and sustainability to create lasting change.
Vendy Kurdikova

Vendy leads the Mycelium project at WAW. She is a former research fellow in Environmental Biology with experience in projects focused on biological and ecological processes, as well as in the editing and production of scientific materials for various universities.
Jesseca Diskobaal

Strategic Advisor

Providing strategic guidance, concept development, and industry expertise, as well as participating in board-level decision-making.

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OUR UPCYCLING PROJECT

PHRASES YOU CAN WEAR

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