During the summer course, the Rafa Nadal Foundation Center in Madrid hosted a very special activity in collaboration with Fundación Silbon, aimed at encouraging responsible consumption and recycling among participating children.
This initiative was part of Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 12, which promotes responsible production and consumption to protect our planet.
It was one of three activities carried out at the Rafa Nadal Foundation Centers thanks to the new sustainability alliance between the Rafa Nadal Foundation and Fundación Silbon.
A Practical Challenge for Learning Through Play
The program consisted of a highly interactive activity where children and adolescents, aged 6 to 17, learned in a hands-on way about the importance of correctly sorting waste for recycling.
The activity began with a simple and engaging explanation of the different types of waste and how they can harm the environment if not properly managed.
With great enthusiasm, the children were divided into groups to identify and separate various types of waste into the appropriate bins — organic, plastic, paper, and glass.
But the experience didn’t stop at recycling. The second part of the activity took environmental awareness a step further by inviting the participants to reuse some of the materials they had sorted to create innovative and sustainable prototypes. The goal was for them to use their imagination while internalizing the value of giving objects a second life and avoiding waste.
The activity was inspired by the successful “Silbon Second Life” project, which focuses on the creative reuse of clothing to promote circular consumption — a model that avoids excessive waste generation and supports a sustainable economy.
To wrap up the session, a vote was held among all the groups to select the most responsible design, based on criteria such as creativity, use of recycled materials, and the environmental message behind each prototype.
But beyond the competition, the most valuable outcome was the sense of teamwork and collective awareness developed among the children.
A T-Shirt Symbolizing Lasting Learning
The activity ended with a creative workshop where each child was able to design their own t-shirt for next year’s summer course. This moment allowed them to express their ideas and feelings about what they had learned, turning their designs into true works of art reflecting their commitment to sustainability.
This year, thanks to Silbon, all participants received not only a t-shirt, but also a tote bag and a bracelet with an exclusive design representing the Rafa Nadal Foundation Center and all the sports and educational activities carried out during the course. The children warmly welcomed this gesture, appreciating the opportunity to take home a tangible memory of this unique experience.
One More Step Towards a Sustainable Future
The collaboration between the Rafa Nadal Foundation, Silbon, and Fundación Silbon and the first activity held in Madrid has been a resounding success.
Not only was environmental education promoted among young people, but a genuine commitment to responsible and sustainable consumption practices was also fostered.
These types of initiatives are essential to educating future generations on how to care for the planet and respect natural resources, perfectly aligning with the SDGs and the social commitment shared by both foundations.
The experience in Madrid proves that learning through play, with practical and creative approaches, is one of the best ways to instill lasting values and build a more conscious and responsible citizenry.