What happens to the large advertising banners once a campus event is over? Typically, they are discarded. This Wellbeing Week, the "Canvas Reborn - reUNNC" initiative, launched by the UNNC Environmental Sustainability Committee and the Sport Department, offered a different answer.
Repurpose used event banners
The project team collected over a hundred used event banners. After cleaning, the materials—with their unique colours, textures and patterns—were transformed into functional items such as tote bags, cross-body bags, laptop sleeves and cycling bags. Sold at a charity sale, these "fashion statements" turned waste into tangible examples of sustainable living.
This initiative is a direct embodiment of UNNC’s institutional commitment to sustainability — a commitment embedded in UNNC’s 2030 Strategic Roadmap, which integrates sustainability across education, research, campus operations, and partnerships.
"Canvas Reborn shows how sustainability can be practical, creative and part of everyday university life," said Prathiv Kholia, Deputy Director of Sport and PE at UNNC. " By reimagining materials that would normally be discarded, we’re not only reducing waste but repurposing it, while also telling the story of our campus in a different way."
To further involve the community, the project also hosted workshops where participants could turn pre-cut pieces of banner fabric into unique DIY accessories, fostering a personal connection to sustainability.
Published on 21 December 2025