Ljubljana continues to process invasive alien plants into useful products
Ljubljana continues with processing invasive alien plants into useful products after the completion of the EU APPLAUSE project.
Why do we process invasive alien plants?
Invasive alien plant species (IAPS) have been recognized for several decades as one of the most important reasons for the decline of biodiversity. They can also cause economic and environmental damage, some are even harmful to human health, as they can cause allergies, skin
reactions and inflammation. Like other cities, Ljubljana also faces the problem of IAPS spreading. Since 2014, we are implementing the socially responsible campaign Gloves Up!, which is intended to educate citizens about the harmfulness of IAPS. Between 2017 and 2020, we also participated in the EU APPLAUSE project, within which we developed 65 ways of processing biomass of invasive alien plants into useful products and input materials for industry.
We involved more than 3,200 citizens in the process of identifying, removing and processing invasive alien plants. We have produced 339 wood products, more than 6 tons of paper made from Japanese knotweed, black locust and Canadian goldenrod, obtained 30,000 data for 121 plant species in 20,000 locations. We connected 92 researchers and 375 undergraduate and postgraduate students, developed 8 new materials, 33 new recipes, 5 new methods and 2 new processes. For the work performed we have already obtained 1 patent (Russia), 4 are still in the process of verification, and we have established 5 separate, independent circular business models.
Activities in progress after the completion of APPLAUSE project
In the premises of the Pulp and Paper Institute at Bogišićeva 8, you can join educational workshops with a tour of the pilot paper machine. The purpose of the workshops is to demonstrate the basics of papermaking for groups or individuals. We offer a creative day for children up to the age of six, a technical day for primary and secondary school pupils, and a workshop on the topic of using paper in everyday life. We also prepare workshops according to the wishes of the participants. Contact: Tea Kapun, Ph.D., tea.kapun@icp-lj.si
At Breg 22, in the tipoRenesansa studio, we carry out workshops for making posters with wooden letters for letterpress printing. The purpose of the workshops is to learn the old printing technique and make a poster through a creative game with letters. Contact: Marko Drpić, marko.drpic@tiporenesansa.com
At Bežigrad's Krater, at a creative laboratory in a construction pit (at the intersection of Peričeva ulica, Topniška ulica and Dunajska cesta). TRAJNA association is implementing socially and environmentally responsive education at Krater, which invites various artists and other curious citizens to design products from wood and paper made of IAPS. The workshop is suitable for designers, school groups, development of project or business ideas or tailored to the participants’ wishes. Contact: Gaja Mežnarić Osole or Andrej Koruza, info@trajna.si
Public water and waste management company VOKA SNAGA carries out educational and creative workshops on paper and wood processing at Povšetova ulica 6 with the aim of spreading basic knowledge about paper, wood and the 'do it yourself' culture. Workshops offer a sustainable solution to how we can handle IAPS in the future. Workshops include programs for groups or individuals (science and technology days for children from the age of six, rental of a hand-made paper workshop with a master), tailored to the participants wishes. Contact: Meta Vidovič, meta.vidovic@vokasnaga.si
Do it yourself
You can also process invasive alien plants yourself. Have a look at our DIY catalogues on products making, home-made extracts for controlling of plant harmful organisms and for textile dyeing and printing paper (in Slovene only), which can be found in the Applause Project section. We have also produced a number of DIY videos for making products from alien plants, e.g. sieves for making paper, paper post, seed paper, floral letters, serving boards, xylophones, picture frames and nesting boxes with green roofs (in Slovene only).
All DIY videos are available on YT channel of the City of Ljubljana.
Invasive alien plants can also be a tasty meal.
We have recorded the preparation of Jerusalem artichoke quiche and chips, Jerusalem artichokes with chanterelles, cherry plum desserts and cold soups, black locust ice cream, smoothies, chutney and chocolate foam, Jerusalem artichoke cream soup and buckwheat porridge with Jerusalem artichoke (in Slovene only).
Handing over invasive alien plants in the Povšetova Collection Center
In 2018, we have set up special IAPS collection point at Povšetova ulica 2 in Ljubljana, where citizens could bring the harvested biomass of eleven invasive alien plants. From 2021, we only collect Japanese and Bohemian knotweed and giant and Canadian goldenrod, other species when needed. Invasive alien plants can also be handed over for composting or incineration.