Langenfeld students transform old chairs into prize-winning sustainable designs

Three schools in Langenfeld have won prizes for turning old chairs into creative, sustainable designs. The competition was part of the 1,000 Reusable Cups for Langenfeld campaign. Winners were chosen from 21 entries and will share nearly €2,000 in prize money.

The contest asked students to upcycle old chairs into new, useful pieces. A jury judged each entry on originality, craftsmanship, sustainability, and votes from visitors. Three designs stood out among the 21 submissions.

The winning chairs included *Friendship Bench* by Kopernikus-Realschule, *Global Chair* by LVR-Paul-Klee-Schule, and *Kitty's Paradise* by Prismaschule. While similar upcycling projects exist in North Rhine-Westphalia, most are one-off events, like the Max-Born vocational college's climate day planned for February 13, 2026. The prize money comes from the *1,000 Reusable Cups for Langenfeld* initiative. Schools will use the funds to support further sustainability projects or educational activities.

The competition highlights how upcycling can turn waste into practical, artistic pieces. The winning schools will now receive their share of the prize money. Organisers hope the project will inspire more students to explore creative recycling.