Spazio META: Milan warehouse upcycles exhibition and fashion waste

In Milan's Bovisa district, Spazio META has opened as a 300-square-meter warehouse and workshop dedicated to upcycling materials from temporary exhibitions, fashion shows, and design events. Founded in spring 2021 by Martina Bragadin, Margherita Crespi, and Benedetta Pomini—all scenography professionals—the space collects, catalogs, and resells leftover materials at solidarity prices based on weight, quantity, and type. The initiative aims to break the cycle of production, use, and disposal that plagues the cultural sector. Beyond sales, META offers co-branding services including design, communication, and event organization, and plans community workshops with artists and designers to promote reuse. The founders emphasize the need to treat sustainability seriously, noting that transport, installation, and new production for shows and events generate significant environmental impact. META's collection service has been active for a year, but the public space opened only four months ago. Clients range from fashion houses and companies supplying unique materials to artists and designers seeking inspiration and supplies. The ultimate goal is to align suppliers and customers to create a circular system where materials have a second life.