Get Creative!

Ever think you could turn clothes into a rug? Or cardboard tubes into a bridge?

Well in fact, you can! As featured on the website, Ecoble, the Volksware company figured out a method to put clothes together into a carpet that can be cut to fit one's decor needs. The clothes used for the project can even include those that were not in good enough condition to donate to an organization such as Goodwill or the Salvation Army.

The website also featured a bridge capable of holding 20 people, made by architect Shigeru Ban. Ban was able to construct the structure out of 25o cardboard tubes. The stairs are comprised of recycled paper and plastic.

Another interesting company, Remarkable, markets products made from recycled material. The UK based company, founded by Edward Douglas Miller in 1996, was established to create innovative ways to recycle material. For example, some of Remarkable's products include turning a Sony Playstation into a writing pen, or a car tires into a notebook cover.

A major turning point for the corporation was in 2000, when at the Millennium Dome they featured the process of turning a plastic cup into a pencil. The company's goals are not only to make Eco-friendly products, but to encourage environmental awareness. Their products are definitely statement pieces, tracing the origin of each object.

According to the website, their principles include:

• "To develop technology and provide products that will be sensitive to the earth’s finite resources and environment through the use of recycled and sustainable materials.
• To promote energy-saving activities considering all aspects of the product’s life cycle in order to minimize the environmental impact of raw materials and components whilst conserving natural resources through waste reduction and the use of recycled and sustainable materials and components.
• To endeavour to meet or exceed all applicable environmental and safety regulatory requirements.
• To promote waste minimization activities, giving preference to recycled or renewable sources whenever practicable.
• To promote continuous improvement and methods for improving manufacturing processes that minimize environmental impacts.
• To encourage environmental awareness to all employees so that environmental factors are considered in all decision-making processes."

The company has partnered with 21 different organizations and corporations working to make a positive impact in the environment. Their website also features a blog of tips to live an Eco-friendly lifestyle. Many of these tips are featured towards showing kids how they can contribute.

Their products include bags, clothing, stationary, and outdoor objects.

These companies are all using creative ways to reuse resources and protect our environment. You can follow their example, and make your own contributions, simply by thinking outside the box. So this lovely Friday, I encourage you to start brainstorming what ways you can re-use what you already have, as our team has for the past few weeks. You might be pleasantly surprised to see how changes are easier than you would expect, and how little efforts can add up to a big difference.

Kacey S.