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Looking for a second-hand treasure—or a way to give your old things a new life? You’re not alone. More and more people in Czechia are embracing recycling and reuse, thanks to places like Sto.re, a new reuse center in Prague’s Holešovice district.
Sustainability, waste reduction, and the simple joy of giving used items a second life are at the heart of Reuse Days, a nationwide initiative that runs through April 30. Across the country, people are participating in clothing, book, and plant swaps, visiting reuse centers, and shopping for repaired furniture and other upcycled goods.
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Dozens of events will take place in Prague (see box below), including one at the newly opened Sto.re. Located in the Holešovice Market in Hall H13, the circular workshop gives new life to torn and sunken armchairs or other upholstery pieces and home furnishings, giving them new value or function. It also invites people to donate their cast-offs to the upcycling cause.
The project was founded by Tereza Korbelová, Denisa Lešková, and Monika Kloboučková, all longtime advocates for sustainability.
“Our focus is on a curated selection of items,” says Lešková. “The furniture and dishware we sell have a story—we know where they come from and they look good. They’re functional, durable, and built to last for decades. At the same time, we’re not trying to preach to the converted—those who already shop sustainably. Instead, we want to appeal to new audiences who see Sto.re primarily as a place to find quality service and beautiful things.”
A Swap Festival is running in Prague (and throughout Czechia) through April 30, 2025. A complete list of participating locations with a map is here. Those include a large-scale swap at Congress Centrum, an Ekofest in Prague, and neighborhood plant and book swaps.
Sto•re is financially supported by the Prague City Hall and the Circular Prague 2030 project, while Czech recycling companies Z pokoje do pokoje and Opravárna are also involved in these initiatives. In addition, a Repair Café is planned for the Holešovice re-use center.
The circular economy in action
According to a report by iRozhlas, the trend is bigger than one store. Across Czechia, reuse centers and furniture banks are popping up and gaining momentum. According to the Czech Federation of Furniture Banks and Reuse Centers, 560 tons of items were saved from landfills last year alone. That’s roughly 250,000 items—or CZK 2.1 million saved in waste disposal costs.
From vintage furniture to books, dishes, clothes, and even plants, items once destined for the bin are getting second chances—and supporting people in need along the way. Nearly 6,000 people, including seniors, single parents, and others facing hardship, have benefited from furniture banks to date.
More than just green
The movement also opens doors for people facing barriers to employment. Some centers offer jobs to those with backgrounds that make it harder to get hired, such as experience with addiction or time in prison.
And it’s growing fast. In addition to Prague, furniture banks like these now operate in Liberec, Ústí nad Labem, Plzeň, and the Central Bohemian Region, with plans to expand nationwide within two years.
“We want every region to have access to this service,” Dana Kalistová, chair of the Czech Federation of Furniture Banks, told iRozhlas.cz.
Recycling isn't just good for the environment—it’s also a budget-saver. According to the Circular Economy Institute, buying second-hand clothing can save you 50 to 70 percent, while refurbished electronics might save 30 to 80 percent.
As part of this nationwide shift, cities like Prague, Plzeň, Ostrava, and Jihlava are participating in Reuse Days, many on April 26. These events spotlight the power of reusing, repurposing, and rethinking waste.
So next time you're about to toss that old chair or sweater, consider this: in the right hands, it could become someone’s next favorite find.
