Upcycling
Join Our Circular Economy Project!
Join a community-driven initiative that transforms waste into resources and creativity into action. Our Circular Economy program gives new life to materials—turning plastics into skateboards and rackets, fabrics into useful items, and surplus food into nourishing meals.
We refill used bottles with essentials like soap for families in need and bring these efforts to low-income neighborhoods, where kids gain access to sports and families receive vital support. Through upcycling and collaboration with international volunteers, this project tackles environmental and social challenges while building stronger, more inclusive communities.
What to Expect:
- Plastic Transformation: Get hands-on with the process of sorting, shredding, and molding discarded plastic into sports items like skateboards and beach rackets.
- Creative Upcycling: Help breathe new life into old fabrics by turning them into practical or decorative items, and refill used plastic bottles with essentials like soap to support families in need.
- Food Repurposing: Contribute to reducing food waste by helping turn surplus into nourishing meals, ensuring nothing goes to waste and more people are fed.
- Community Engagement: Rooted in local neighborhoods, the project offers children free access to sports in a safe, nurturing environment, while also supporting families with essential resources and opportunities to engage in meaningful, community-driven activities.
- Educational Impact: Be part of raising awareness about environmental issues and the power of upcycling by engaging with the local community and sharing sustainable practices.
Daily Tasks:
- Plastic Processing: Sort, clean, and shred plastic waste to prepare it for transformation into sports equipment and other upcycled items.
- Upcycling Workshops: Help create new products from old fabrics and materials, ranging from reusable bags to decorative items.
- Bottle Refilling: Refill donated plastic bottles with hygiene products like soap to distribute to families in need.
- Food Upcycling: Assist in repurposing surplus food into meals, snacks, or preserves to minimize waste and support the community.
Why Join?
- Combat Plastic Pollution: Play a crucial role in turning waste into valuable resources.
- Social Impact: Help integrate local children into sports and recreational activities.
- Learn and Innovate: Gain insights into sustainability, social justice, and the innovative use of materials.
Ready to Transform Waste and Lives?
Join us in Portugal for a meaningful experience that combines environmental action with social impact!
Included
- Airport pickup on Sundays, straight to your accommodation
- Stay in a socially or environmentally impactful hostel—female, male, or mixed dorms
- Access to a common room and free Wi-Fi!
- Three meals a day—veggie, vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free options available upon request
- Orientation on arrival: culture, volunteering, program details, and safety
- We’ll hook you up with an impactful non-profit project and handle the coordination
- Guided city tour with top tips for exploring
- Ongoing support throughout your stay
- 24/7 emergency support, just in case
FAQ
What is the minimum age to participate in this program? 18+
The minimum age to participate in this program is 18 years.
Do I have to pay money for volunteering?+
You are not paying for your volunteer work itself but for your stay with us overall. The costs for your program further include various elements that are part of your stay such as your accommodation, food, transportation from the airport, guided city tour, local coordination and 24/7 support for emergencies. Check the "Included" section of the program you want to choose for complete information!
How and when do I need to pay for my volunteer program with ImpacTrip?+
The payment of your volunteer program is done by bank transfer. We will kindly ask you to pay 50% of your bill at the time of your booking to secure your spot! The other 50% will be due at least one month before your arrival!
What is the accommodation like? Could I stay in a private room?+
Depending on the program, in most cases, you will stay along with the other volunteers in dormitory-style rooms. Private rooms may be available at your accommodation as well for an extra cost.
Can I cook in the accommodation?+
Yes, the hostel has an eqquiped kitchen where you can cook yourself with the only condition of cleaning everything used afterwards.
How much money should I bring to my program?+
Once you've booked your program, be sure to reach out to your local coordinator to get the scoop on the cost of living in your destination—it can differ quite a bit! And don't forget to budget for public transportation, emergencies, airport drop-off, snacks, fun activities, and a bit of local shopping. Happy planning!
How many people will be I be volunteering with?+
Depending on your program and project, you might be joined by other ImpacTrip volunteers, but usually, you’ll either be on your own or with local volunteers. It's a fantastic opportunity to connect with locals and immerse yourself in the community and its lifestyle!
In case of need, how do I get health care?+
All volunteers must arrive with private health insurance that covers the costs of any health service that may arise in their program destination.
With this insurance you can be treated at any private or public medical center. The medical expenses will be paid by you and when you return to your country you will have to present all the invoices to your insurance so don't forget to budget medical emergencies.
In the case of European volunteers, to facilitate the process, it is advisable to come with your European Health Card.
Will I have time for some sight-seeing as well?+
Of course! We want you to really get to know your natural and cultural surroundings and will provide you with useful tips and tricks that will help you discover the location of your stay like a local.
Your shifts will generally last between 3 and 5 hours per day and will take place either in the morning, in the afternoon or in the evening, which will leave you with plenty of free time to go explore, take a stroll around your surroundings, catch the most important sites, interact with the locals or simply go and relax! And of course, you will have your weekends off as well!
Do I need to speak the local language?+
No, you don't need to have any previous skills in the local language! All of our programs are run entirely in English and our guides and staff are all comfortable speaking English as well. However, we always encourage our participants to get acquainted with some of the most basic terms and expressions, as even just a simple "Good morning!" in the local language can be a great icebreaker to start interacting with the locals! There are also language lessons available for volunteers that can be booked before or upon arrival.
How and when do I get my volunteer certificate?+
You can request your volunteer certificate to ImpacTrip or the local coordinator at the end of your program.
