Join Bryson Arts and Play and an artist to produce a collaborative mosaic using all sorts of recycled objects such as fabrics, yarns, cardboard, wood and plastics around the theme of the summer solstice. Facilitated by Bryson Arts and Play. 

In partnership with Bryson Recycling & Bryson Arts and Play.

This session is drop in & you can register here

How can we move to a more resource-efficient society by addressing the challenges of changing waste related behaviours? In this panel discussion we will explore how attitudes to waste are changing in Northern Ireland and what steps are needed to effectively engage the public to deal with their waste better. 

Caroline McGuiness-Brooks (Repair and Share Foyle & Library of Things, Derry)
Anthony Flynn (Green Party Councillor, Belfast City Council)
Dr Rachael Singleton (Chair of Sustainable NI, Behavioural Scientist and Lecturer at Ulster University)
Chaired by Gawain Morrison (Co-founder & Director, Brink!)

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& Register here

In partnership with Bryson Recycling.

In this workshop we will look at common products that we buy to see what they are made of and how easily they can be recycled. 

There is currently a lot of work going on to produce “greener” packaging, but what is true and what is greenwashing?  This workshop will help inform you about how to make more environmentally friendly choices when purchasing. 

Led by: Patrick Duggan, Sustainability Sector Specialist – Plastics Recycling, WRAP, with support from Bryson Recycling. 

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& Register for the workshop here

In partnership with Bryson Recycling.

A short film voiced by Gen Z, layered with striking visuals of stunning outfits crafted by emerging young fashion designers, using recycled materials.

Produced by Junk Kouture, for “One Young World” in collaboration with Deloitte.

The Repair Cafe Belfast sewing team invite you to join them for a lunchtime Mending Meet Up. Bring a few items you've been meaning to mend and join us for this chance to tackle them in good company, with a bite of lunch, lots of craic and our experienced stitchers on hand for help and advice if needed. 

All welcome - whether you are a complete beginner at mending or know your backstitch from your blanket stitch. We'll all help each other turn a chore into a joy, and take a practical, tangible step towards extending the life of our clothes, and avoiding waste. This is slow, creative, joyful fashion in action. All you need to bring are a few items of clothing or home textiles that need a mend and sewing supplies if you have them - we'll have spares.

Sign up to mend with us & we’ll provide soup for your lunch - limited places.

In partnership with the Repair Cafe Belfast

With no end to the horror stories on fast fashion's environmental and ethical record, how can we do things differently?  What are the barriers people face in embracing sustainable clothing choices?   Last year Belfast City Council and Tools for Solidarity piloted a community project to remake charity shop rag-bag waste into beautiful garments - everything from old jeans to curtains, bed sheets and pillowcases, men's ties and suits were repurposed into new clothes, often by people who had never sewn before.  The project brought a touch of creativity to waste management to highlight just what usable resources are going into the bin.  New skills like embroidery, lino printing and cyanotype turned rubbish into couture.  In this panel, Sue Bamford from Tools for Solidarity will show a selection of the garments from the show to demonstrate how ethics and aesthetics combined with imagination can remake the fashion landscape, and why this is a pressing issue for today.

In partnership with Tools For Solidarity

What happens to the tons of textiles left behind by industries every year? Join International Synergies and industry experts as we unravel the story of industrial textile production — and its vast potential for reuse and regeneration. From offcuts and overstock to smart material matchmaking, we’ll explore how businesses and government can stitch together a circular future. Discover how waste can become a resource, and how moving from linear to circular models can create value, reduce emissions, and spark innovation across the sector.

Hear from Marie Nancarrow and Liam McNally from International Synergies.

In partnership with International Synergies

Native Coffee are about more than just serving coffee, they host a variety of independent businesses and artists from Belfast and across Northern Ireland. They have built their community on coffee, connection and creativity - check out their Climate Cafes & Sober Socials.

They’re going to be serving hot drinks through the day.

Bakari Bakery are a family-run artisan bakery in Belfast, Northern Ireland. 

Inspired by Scandinavian baking traditions, we strive to bring the people of Belfast delicious baked goods using local, organic ingredients where possible and imported organic where necessary.

They’re supplying our beautiful pastries each day.

Rather than bringing food trucks onto our site, we would love if you would support our food neighbours - the local businesses who serve up amazing food from pizzas to bagels, from lebanese to cheese - we’re spoiled, so please support them.

Deerah, The Boxing Hare, Bodega Bagels, Mikes Fancy Cheese .. don’t forget the Watson food hatch!

Our favourite bar in Belfast just happens to be our neighbour too & have been an important part of our events during our time on the Belfast Stories site. During the festival the Sunflower Pub will be our bar partner during the evening events on the site.

http://www.sunflowerbelfast.com/