The story begins with the tarpaulins from the renovation of the Adolphe Bridge in the heart of the capital. These 12,000 m2² of plastic gave rise to the E Stéck vun der Bréckcollection of handbags, bicycle bags and lamps designed by Julie Conrad, and thus to the DONO workshop for professional inclusion set up by the “Coopérations” cooperative in Wiltz.

Located in the former kitchens of the town’s castle, the workshop enables the long-term unemployed or disabled to learn the basics of sewing. One thing led to another and year after year, this tarpaulin recycling project has continued thanks to deliveries from the City of Luxembourg, the municipality of Wiltz, large companies or, as recently, from Esch2022. Once received, the raw material is washed and then cut according to the patterns drawn by Katleen Hennes, a Belgian designer who has been running the workshop for two years. The pieces are then assembled by its fourteen employees and sold to the general public.

Upcycling the promotional tarpaulins of Esch2022-European Capital of Culture, located in the south of Luxembourg, into design accessories: this is the sustainable and ecological initiative carried out by the sheltered workshop DONO and the designer Katleen Hennes in the town of Wiltz, in the north of the country.

Made from the promotional tarpaulins used in Esch2022-European Capital of Culture, this range of accessories not only provides employment in the social sector, but also, and above all, puts back into circulation tarpaulins that are solid and strong, but whose usefulness remains ephemeral, and which would have ended up being quickly thrown away. By transforming them into briefcases and pockets for various uses, the DONO workshop gives them a second life as stylish and sustainable accessories. An approach that is both social and ecological, advocating upcycling and promoting the circular economy.