seriousness LITEXPO During the "Sustainable Future 2023" exhibition-conference that started, the Christmas tree was lit, which, according to its initiators and creators, is the most sustainable in Lithuania. The 9-meter-high Christmas tree-installation, created from electronic waste, not only announces the upcoming winter holidays, but also sends an important message to society.
The basis of the non-traditional Christmas tree decoration consists of two types of light reflectors. Some are dome-shaped, suspended from the outside of the frame. Together with a garland of green lights, they create the impression of futuristic plants. Other reflectors are inside. The latter fill the volume of the Christmas tree and reflect the light of the garlands in all directions.
At the bottom of the Christmas installation, you can find familiar household appliances and old electronics public transport composter. All of them serve as a reminder that used electronics must be recycled or at least given a new life.
According to designer Dominykas Koncevičius, author of the unconventional Christmas tree, the installation is decorated with approximately 1,5 km of green glowing garlands. These have already been used several times and have decorated other large Christmas projects before.
"The color green is associated with ecology, sustainability, nature. I'm glad that I was able to use these garlands one more time before saying goodbye," said the designer.
The construction of the unusual Christmas tree is also sustainable. It is a reusable frame, which "Sventių studija", having practically implemented the designer's idea, has used many times in decoration projects and will continue to use it for a long time in the future.
"The installation of the most sustainable Christmas tree is like a sketch of a possible future, showing what can happen if we do not properly take care of the waste of human activity. Finally, they will change the environment around us irreversibly", emphasized the author of the installation, D. Koncevičius.
For his part, LITEXPO head Jonas Sakalauskas, before lighting the sustainable Christmas tree, claimed that it is a manifesto aimed at reminding that consumption, even during the holidays, should be conscious, and instead of things, experiences should be given that remain with a person throughout his life and often enriches more than material things.
The partners in the implementation of the sustainable Christmas tree idea are the electronics and metal waste recycling company EMP Recycling. According to the director of administration, Dalia Jokubauskienė, who also participated in the lighting ceremony, this project is expected to encourage the public to think about sustainability or at least to make them want to count how many non-functioning appliances there really are at home.
"A study commissioned by the European Commission showed that on average one family farm has 72 electronic devices, of which even 11 do not work. Therefore, almost every house has equipment that can be used, recycled or given a second life", emphasized D. Jokubauskienė.
The sustainable Christmas tree created by "EMP Recycling" together with the help of "Shventių studio" will be available not only at the "Sustainable Future 2023" exhibition, which will be held on November 23-25, but also until the end of the festive period, by visiting LITEXPO.
