At our GreenShare pop-up in Basel on May 9, 1,000 potted herbs—rosemary, thyme, sage, and more—were rescued from compost and given new homes!

Over 300 visitors were amazed by the quality, sparking meaningful talks about event waste and reconnecting with nature.

By saving these plants, we cut about 250 kg of CO₂—equivalent to a 1,000 km car trip.

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Want to learn more what GreenUp does on circularity? 
– This is our GreenShare project 
– We are starting a regional circle from Circular Economy Switzerland in Graubünden

We all know that sustainability matters. We’ve seen the headlines, watched the documentaries, maybe even followed a few climate activists on social media or shared an infographic about plastic waste. But knowing isn’t the same as doing—and in a world facing urgent environmental challenges, doing is what counts.

So how do we move from awareness to meaningful action? The answer might be simpler, and more hands-on, than you think.

At GreenUp, we’ve found that real change begins when people step into sustainability with their own two feet. Whether it’s cooking with rescued food, joining a cleanup effort, or exploring how waste can be given a new life, these experiences make sustainability feel real. They shift perspectives, spark curiosity, and often stay with people long after the day is over.

This blog explores why hands-on learning is such a powerful driver of sustainable change. It also shares how GreenUp’s workshops and interactive sessions are helping individuals and organisations across Switzerland bring that change to life.

Why Hands-On Learning Works

Sustainability isn’t always easy to grasp. It’s a big word, tied to even bigger systems, such as climate, food, waste and biodiversity. For many people, it can feel distant, abstract, or even overwhelming. That’s where hands-on learning makes all the difference.

When we do something—plant a seed, sort waste by hand, prepare a meal from rescued ingredients—we stop thinking of sustainability as a theory and start relating to it as something personal and possible. The experience becomes a turning point. It’s no longer just information we’re processing; it’s something we’ve lived through, something we’ve felt.

This isn’t just intuition – it’s backed by research. Studies in environmental education show that experiential learning increases retention, deepens understanding, and strengthens emotional engagement, all of which are key to lasting behaviour change. When people are actively involved, they’re far more likely to remember what they learned and apply it in their daily lives.

Emotional connection also plays a powerful role. Programs that involve nature-based or community activities often see participants walk away not just more informed, but more motivated and confident in their ability to contribute to change. Even one well-designed, hands-on experience – like a sustainability workshop or an outdoor cleanup – can shift attitudes and plant the seed for long-term action.

That’s why experiential learning works so well. It connects the dots between knowledge and action. It helps people go from understanding a problem to believing they can be part of the solution.

GreenUp in Action: Workshops That Make a Difference

It’s one thing to talk about how hands-on learning works. It’s another to see it in motion. At GreenUp, our workshops are designed to make sustainability feel real and relevant. They create opportunities for people to engage directly with environmental issues, using practical, creative activities that lead to new insights and habits.

Each session combines interaction, reflection, and action. Participants don’t just receive information—they experience it, and they leave with a clearer understanding of how their choices connect to the wider world. Here’s how that learning comes to life:

Circular Champions

Resources are limited—but creativity isn’t. This workshop introduces the principles of a circular economy through a mix of conversation, hands-on demonstrations, and a visit to a local circular project. Participants explore how to reduce waste at the source and repurpose materials in ways that save money, lower emissions, and encourage innovative thinking.​

The need for circular approaches is increasingly urgent. According to the Circularity Gap Report 2023, only 7.2% of the materials we use globally are part of a closed-loop system—meaning over 90% of extracted resources are wasted after a single use. This linear “take–make–waste” model contributes significantly to climate change, biodiversity loss, and pollution. Shifting toward a circular economy helps address all three by keeping materials in use and reducing our reliance on virgin resources. ​

Instead of abstract ideas, the group works with real-world examples—trying out minimal-waste products, testing practical tools, and seeing how circular solutions work in everyday life. The experience helps shift mindsets and opens up new ways of thinking about value, consumption, and design.

Nature Keepers

This outdoor workshop focuses on the environmental impact of waste, particularly on soil, water, and biodiversity. Participants head outside for a group cleanup, combined with an exploration of how litter affects local ecosystems.

Litter doesn’t just spoil the view—it disrupts entire ecosystems. As it breaks down, it can release microplastics and toxic substances into soil and waterways, affecting wildlife and plant health. According to the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), litter—especially plastics—is a key driver of biodiversity loss, with serious implications for both terrestrial and marine environments. Improper waste management contributes to habitat degradation, pollutes freshwater systems, and endangers thousands of species.

The act of physically removing waste from natural areas creates space for meaningful reflection. People often come away with a renewed sense of connection to the environment and a better understanding of the role they can play in protecting it. The activity also builds a sense of teamwork and shared purpose, making the learning both personal and social.

Food Futures

Together, the group prepares a snack from surplus ingredients, discusses food choices, and visits a local food initiative making a positive difference. The experience combines practical skills with reflection and curiosity. It encourages people to rethink their habits and explore how food can be a joyful, powerful part of living more sustainably.​

The environmental footprint of our food system is substantial. According to a study published in Nature Food, food systems were responsible for 34% of all human-caused greenhouse gas emissions in 2015. The largest contribution came from agriculture and land use/land-use change activities, with the remaining emissions from supply chain activities such as retail, transport, consumption, fuel production, waste management, industrial processes, and packaging.

This workshop is not only informative—it’s also a meaningful shared experience. As Stephanie Scheller, Hospitality Manager at FELFEL, shared after a recent Food Futures session in Zürich:

“The short version of the workshop ‘Food Futures’ by GreenUp was both educational and a great team bonding opportunity. Full of passion and joy, GreenUp shared their knowledge with us and gave us ideas for a more sustainable lifestyle!”

More Ways to Engage: Talks and Games

Not every organisation has the time or capacity for a full-day workshop. That’s why GreenUp also offers shorter, flexible formats that make sustainability accessible – even in the middle of a busy workday.

Our 30-minute talks and three-hour games are designed to spark interest and plant the seeds of change. They work well as part of team events, sustainability days, or even just a morning meeting with a twist. The focus is on participation, curiosity, and creating a moment of connection to environmental topics.

Talks

These focused sessions dive into key sustainability themes—like food, fashion, or plastic waste—without overwhelming participants. In half an hour, we unpack the environmental issues tied to everyday habits, share practical insights, and open space for discussion.

Because the sessions are concise, they’re ideal for teams looking to build awareness or kick off wider sustainability efforts. Even within a short time, participants often come away with new perspectives and ideas they’re eager to explore further.

Games

For teams who want something more interactive, our games offer a light but effective way to engage. Activities like sustainability bingo or a lucky-wheel challenge bring environmental topics into a playful, social setting.

These games are designed to be inclusive and energising. They create opportunities for people to learn from one another, discover surprising facts, and enjoy a shared experience that builds team spirit. Importantly, they also open the door to deeper conversations—without ever feeling like a lecture.

Why Organisations Choose GreenUp

Creating a culture of sustainability at work can feel like a big task—but it starts with simple, shared experiences. GreenUp supports organisations by making sustainability engaging, practical, and relevant to real workplace life.

Since 2020, we’ve worked with companies and institutions across Switzerland to bring sustainability to life through action-based learning. Our team combines deep knowledge of environmental topics with a genuine passion for making change feel possible. We understand that every organisation is different, which is why we offer flexible, customisable formats that fit your team, your goals, and your schedule.

What sets GreenUp apart isn’t just what we teach—it’s how we teach it. Everything we offer is designed to get people involved, not just listening. Our sessions are built to encourage connection, collaboration, and shared purpose. They’re grounded in current science and real-world solutions, while maintaining a positive tone that focuses on possibilities rather than guilt or overload. Above all, they’re memorable—rooted in hands-on activities that leave a lasting impression and inspire people to take what they’ve learned into their daily lives.

Organisations that work with GreenUp often find that something shifts. Teams start to speak the same language around sustainability. Ideas surface that weren’t there before. And most importantly, people feel inspired to act—not just because they have to, but because they want to.

Whether you’re building momentum for your sustainability strategy or simply starting the conversation, GreenUp provides the spark that helps teams move forward.

Conclusion: Small Actions, Big Shifts

Sustainability doesn’t begin with sweeping policies or global declarations—it starts with small, intentional actions. The kind we take when we understand the issues not just in theory, but through experience. That’s where hands-on learning makes a real difference. It helps people see the impact of their choices, feel connected to the bigger picture, and gain the confidence to act.

At GreenUp, we’ve seen how a morning spent cooking with rescued food or cleaning up a local park can stay with people for months—sometimes years. These experiences build momentum. They shift habits. They turn good intentions into meaningful steps, and often spark bigger changes within teams and organisations.

By creating space for curiosity, participation, and creativity, our workshops and activities open the door to a more sustainable way of working and living. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about getting started.If you’re ready to make sustainability part of your workplace culture, we’re here to help. Explore our workshops and services or reach out to co-create something that fits your vision. One experience might be all it takes to start something bigger.

91.5 % of respondents believe that it was worthwhile taking part in the 2023 and even more of them would recommend it to others!

A great outcome of the 2023 programme that featured a wide variety of households from the Canton of Basel-City, as well as from the countryside. Households that are already well underway, and others that were just starting off. The mixture inspired each other and helped to share experiences and concrete tips, as well as challenges. 

GoSimple is a 4-month programme for households, to live more resourcelight in their city. They meet up at practical and inspiring workshops around the themes of food, circularity and conscious living, as well as local consumption, mobility and change-making in my city. After each workshop they take on a challenge around the theme at stake, and practice different behavior, such as causing less foodwaste, or rather doing a digital detox. Learn more on www.gosimple.ch

And then the million dollar question… what did they take-away and learn, what are they planning to do in their daily lives? Here a quick view of that: 

In January 2024 we created the first ever ClimateHubDavos during the week of the Annual Meeting in Davos. By some called ” one of the cooler new features at Davos this year” by others “a regenerative space with real impact and meaning”. 

Being active in Davos for many years, a couple of years ago we started to get active too. On the one hand, with the WEF itself as main partner, working on sustainability of the event through our GreenShare project, and on the other hand, by making climate and nature more visible. 

Check out the ClimateHub impact posts on GreenUp’s Linkedin, such as this one, around biodiversity. 

This years spring season started well in Davos – we were able to start scaling up our bio-waste project, slowly trying to provide bio-waste solutions to many. And we started spreading biological gardening knowledge through a course for teachers, including those who started a schoolgarden with different primary classes.

Urban Gardening and Zero Waste Circularity have been on GreenUp’s Davos agenda for many years. In a town that is surrounded by beautiful nature, its surprising that attention for soil and reducing waste are not higher on people’s agendas. But step-by-step we are helping to change that.

Many years ago we started with a monthly repair-café; which is still running, we helped to create the association Stadtgarten and ran zero waste days. The last years we started to more and more on the topic of regeneration and will continue to do so.

A cool example are also the edible plant experiences we run.

We much thank the canton of Graubünden, the AO Foundation as well as the Gemeinde Davos for supporting us in this important endeavour.

Sharing Economy in Davos!
A successful pop-up store (yet again) 

 

We would like to thank everyone who helped out and visited our “Simply more PopUp store” early December 2022 at the Panorama Hotel in Davos. The Panorama will feature apartments starting this winter, and therefore many of their pre-loved items had to find a new home. Together we managed to find a warm home for hundreds of smaller items and also many bigger furniture. Items ranged from plates to Christmas decoration, from leather chairs to lamps, from pianos to carpets, and many many more items..

To ensure that we all start to really value used items, we asked people to donate what it was worth to them, plus several things were also offered for free! 

The donations that we collected will be re-invested in local social and sustainable projects throughout 2023.

Households in and around Davos who live at the existential minimum had the opportunity to come to the PopUp store to pick up furniture and items they needed free of charge.

And that such occasions do not only help to keep items in a loop, but also create opportunities was demonstrated when Panorama and 2 people of a migrant family agreed upon some temporary work to prepare for the PopUp!

“It’s always a lot of work to turn dusty things in a basement into pre-loved items, but when you finally manage to do, and make people happy, it gives a lot of satisfaction!” – Thais Daddario, GreenUp Volunteer in Davos

There is a last opportunity over the next few weeks  to pick up some items that are still left, such as white leather armchairs, red & black leather sofas, glass tables, beer fridge, antique wooden clock & furniture, piano and a Kallax cabinet.

Please follow and get in touch with @greenhubdavos directly to see what exactly is left.

And for all lovers from pre-loved items, in Davos and elsewhere … we have 4 tips! 

💚 Davos: Before, during and after the WEF 2023, GreenUp is active to support sustainable behaviour. With its GreenShare project, it will reshare items and materials that are left-over from the WEF with local people and projects.

💚 Swissgerman Part: check out ShareItt; an app for sharing items based on points. With already over 1500 items, mostly around Zürich, Luzern, Bodensee, but also Winterthur and Davos .. and soon also Basel, there is a lot to choose from! 

💚 Switzerland: Check out one of the many flea markets that take place regularly in most cities. Sometimes you can find true gems at a very little price.   

💚 Switzerland: Try out a secret santa in your family or your team passing on only pre-loved items.

For more inspiration and insight, check out our Projects and Events.

 

 

 

We live in a connected, consumer-driven, capitalist world. Ultimately, we are all consumers, but we have a choice about what kind of consumer we want to be. We have a choice about what we buy and how well we take care of our possessions or how quickly we dispose of them. The things we buy have the potential to harm the environment, both during production and in transit and disposal.

You have the choice to become an environmentally conscious consumer. It’s in our hands what kind of consumer we want to be. Environmentally conscious consumers think about the environmental impact of their purchases and whether they need to buy anything at all.

“If it can’t be reduced, repaired, rebuilt, refurbished, refurbished, resold, recycled or composted, then it should be curtailed, redesigned or taken out of production. – Peter Seeger

You’ve probably heard of the 5Rs: discard, reduce, reuse, recycle and rot. By now, they’ve become the 7Rs! If you work through them all, you’re well on your way to living a life of minimal impact. Some things may still end up in the trash, but if that’s unavoidable, do it responsibly and recycle or compost what you can.

1. RETHINK: Sit back and think about what kind of consumer you want to be and what that means for the environment. Which companies are very active in green-washing their operations? Which companies put environmental protection ahead of their profits

2. REFUSE: Think before you buy, and be prepared not to buy at all. If you only use an item once in a while, can you borrow it from a neighbor, friend, or sharing platform? If you use it more often, can you buy it used on a secondhand platform like Ricardo.ch, Tutti.ch or Marketplace? Environmentally conscious consumers buy less and buy products that are least harmful to the environment, such as items that are already on the planet, and give them a second life.

3. REDUCE: Buy fewer, but high quality products that have little or no packaging and last a long time. Items you no longer need or rarely use can either be donated to those in need, sold, or made available to others on sharing platforms.

4. RE-USE: Upcycle something instead of throwing it away. Examples: Glass jars can be used to store dry goods, old calendar pages serve as homemade envelopes, old toothbrushes are used to clean hard-to-reach places, empty toothpaste tubes are used as funnels.

5. RE-GIFT: When you re-gift something, you are giving someone a gift that you received from someone else and probably didn’t need. Don’t feel guilty about re-gifting! It’s a good thing to pass the gift on to someone who will enjoy it more than you. You do have to follow this etiquette, though: The gift is brand new and in its original packaging. You’re sure the gift will please the recipient. However, don’t pass on handmade gifts that others have made for you.

6. RECYCLE: Put things back into the waste stream to be used for something else. Glass is used for road construction, plastic is melted down to make new products. Metal cans are reused to make new metal cans. Batteries and expired pharmaceutical products must be disposed of in appropriate recycling sites.

7. ROT: Compost your own organic waste or participate in an organic waste composting program. Organic waste that we compost is used to fertilize our gardens or fields or is converted into biogas.

For more inspiration and insight, check out our online Resources.

 

Creative Frugality means the practice of being creative while coming up with ways to be more sustainable and spending less at the same time. While practising Creative Frugality you stop for a moment and start thinking creatively before solving your “problems” with money.

Simple frugal living is about appreciating and using what you already own instead of always looking for the next new gadget. It’s about carefully managing what you purchase, looking for the most environmentally friendly option. However with Creative Frugality, you come up with novel solutions or new ways of fulfilling your needs.

 

What does frugal mean? Avoiding unnecessary expenditure of money or of anything else which is to be used or consumed; avoiding waste. You break the cycle of perceiving a need and then immediately spending money to meet it. Instead, you pause and think first, asking yourself if there’s another way to meet this need besides spending money. You look for alternatives, and if there are none, you look for ways to spend less. An example is developing the skill of decorating your home without walking into retail stores and buying what you see on the shelves. Instead, you find alternatives, like repurposed items, yard sales, antique or thrift store finds can add beautiful touches to your home. Using your creative skills uses less resources, and it creates less waste. 

What does creativ mean? Being creative means solving a problem in a new way. It means changing your perspective and breaking with routine and doing something different. Creative frugality can become a big part of your life, repurposing or upcycling what you already have, providing mental exercise, and allowing you to have fun in the process.

How does Frugality develop creativity? Frugality is a constraint on what you spend, and that constraint is what promotes creativity. For example, let’s take “clothes”. Having that constraint on buying new clothes means you need to get creative if you want to find new trendy clothes. A humble and inexpensive way to get branded clothes is to go to second hand shops or online platforms! Or participate in Clothing-Swap parties. These are excellent ways to meet your need for new clothes, protecting the environment and not overspending. By putting constraints on what you can spend, you may find your own creativity expanding, finding ways to spend less while still meeting your needs.

What is the difference between being frugal and being cheap? Being cheap has a different focus than being frugal. The purpose is to simply spend less and try to find the cheapest solution. Environmental aspects are not a focus. Being frugal involves looking for the best value for your money. Being cheap can cost more money in the long run. High-quality items may cost more upfront, but they tend to last longer and perform better. 

Some sustainable &  frugal living ideas, to help you shift your mindset:

• Avoid recreational shopping. If you catch yourself aimlessly wandering retail stores or clicking around online because you are bored—stop! Otherwise, you will most likely waste money and resources. Ask yourself first, “Do I really need this?” if the answer is yes, “Can I borrow it from a friend or a sharing platform?”, if not, “Can I buy it pre-loved”? 
• Borrow or rent instead of purchasing if it is something you’ll only use a couple of times. There are some great platforms like Sharely.ch to rent items.
• Wait before buying something to ensure you really want it. Even just 24 hours later, you may find that the desire has disappeared. Setting this rule helps to avoid impulse purchases.
• Beware of “sales.” Remember that you only save money when you get a great deal on something you need. You don’t save any money buying something you don’t need, even if it is on sale. 
• Plan ahead for your purchases: Research large purchases and buy quality items that will last longer. Take the time to read product reviews.
• Try using less. Use only what you need to get the job done.
• Take care of what you own. Maintenance is less expensive than repair.
• Attempt to Do-It-Yourself whenever it makes sense. Before you buy something, consider if you could make it or do it yourself, or even upcycle another product you no longer need.

Here are some additional tips from a time where being frugal was necessary for survival:

• Buy used. Avoid buying new whenever possible! Use what is already on our planet. It is incredible how many bargains you can get at yard sales, estate sales, or thrift stores. You can also search online for used items at sites like Ricardo, Tutti and Facebook Marketplace. Remember though, to purchase only what you really need.
• Avoid waste. Try to eat everything you buy. Look through your fridge for those items that get shoved to the back before they become inedible.
• Grow an urban garden. Growing your own food, especially with organic methods, can produce healthy vegetables. And at the same time you avoid all the plastic packaging that you would otherwise get from the supermarket.
• Make your own cleaners. The basic ingredients of vinegar and baking soda can be used for many cleaning jobs. 
• Make homemade gifts. These can be fun to make and may mean more to the recipient than a store-bought item.
• Learn how to sew. Making simple repairs or alterations can save a lot of fabric-waste. Sewing a button back on a shirt saves that shirt, so you don’t need to buy a new one.

Frugal living and beyond

Define why you want to spend less so you can stay motivated. Frugal living will help you live on a smaller income, take time off from working, retire early, reduce your personal carbon footprint, or spend more time with your family.

Stretch the money you have using frugal living tips and principles. Be creative and resourceful in getting what you need for less.

Every time you put your hand on your wallet, use this as a cue to think about your financial goals and environmental impact.  It is a matter of putting dreams before things, especially things you don’t need. You can earn more money, but without a frugal lifestyle, the risk is that you only spend more. The gap between earning and spending is what makes your financial dreams possible.