The practical workshop entitled “Zrównoważona i świadoma konsumpcja” [Sustainable and Conscious Consumption ] was led by Dr Natalia Ratajczyk (Dean’s Representative for Sustainable Development at the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection) and Dr Agnieszka Wolańska-Kamińska from the Department of Biogeography, Paleoecology and Nature Conservation.
The main theme of the workshop was eco-labels, which help consumers identify products associated with specific environmental and social standards. Participants learned about the most important labels found on product packaging available in shops, including the European EU Ecolabel, the organic farming logo known as the Euro-leaf, the Rainforest Alliance certification with its distinctive green frog symbol, as well as the FSC and MSC labels, which refer respectively to responsible forest management and sustainable fisheries. The Fairtrade label, which promotes fair trading conditions, was also discussed.
Practice, however, was the most important part of the workshop. Participants worked in small groups, each of which selected its own nature-inspired name. Using packaging from various products, they searched for eco-labels and matched them with the correct descriptions. The task required attentiveness, observation skills and teamwork, while also demonstrating that information displayed on packaging can serve as a valuable guide during everyday shopping.
The participants’ activity, engagement and willingness to take on further tasks demonstrated how much can be achieved through learning by doing. The workshop also provided an opportunity to discuss the idea that conscious consumption begins with simple questions: do we really need a given product, what is it made of, how was it produced, and does purchasing it support environmentally friendly solutions? Carefully reading labels, reducing unnecessary purchases, reusing items and choosing products with reliable certifications are all actions that can be taken in everyday life.
During the meeting, guests also learned about environmentally friendly solutions implemented at the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection of the University of Lodz. These included the Exchange Point – BiOŚpółka, water dispensers and waste segregation bins. It was an opportunity to show that caring for the environment does not have to be limited to declarations; it can be reflected in concrete actions that support resource efficiency, waste reduction and the reuse of materials.
The event had not only an educational but also an integrative dimension. Working together, engaging in conversation and carrying out tasks created a space for sharing experiences and building relationships in a friendly atmosphere. An important element of the meeting was the joy of acting together and the satisfaction of discovering new information. The smiles of the participants and their satisfaction after the workshop were the best confirmation that learning can be engaging, accessible and full of positive experiences.
At the end of the event, all participants received commemorative certificates and a group photograph taken in the Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection frame became a fitting conclusion to the meeting.
We would like to thank the participants and carers from the Occupational Therapy Workshop for their presence, engagement and the time spent together. We hope that the knowledge they gained will help them make even more conscious purchasing decisions and that the positive experiences from the workshop will stay with them for a long time. After all, every conscious decision matters, and working together helps build a more responsible and environmentally friendly future.
Source: Dr Agnieszka Wolańska-Kamińska, Dr Natalia Ratajczyk (Department of Biogeography, Paleoecology and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz)
Photos: Dr Agnieszka Wolańska-Kamińska, Dr Natalia Ratajczyk (Department of Biogeography, Paleoecology and Nature Conservation, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz), Justyna Piwowarska
Edit: Mateusz Kowalski (Promotion Centre, Faculty of Biology and Environmental Protection, University of Lodz)
