one man's trash

been reading a lot about "upcycling" lately. i guess it's a buzz word in the green fashion/production industry, basically meaning taking old stuff and turning it into new stuff. while maybe an old idea (recycled art, handy home repairs, patchwork quilts, etc.), it is pretty cool to see it gaining mainstream popularity.

this joint terracycle makes things like fertilizer, bags, and even fire logs from completely recycled material. the ceo is my age, and i'm perhaps a bit jealous.

there are a few clothing companies doing similar things, like junky styling and preloved. it occurs to me, however, that with a sewing machine and some fashion sense, you could pretty much accomplish the same. pretty good places to look for ideas though.

here is a blog entry with some pretty good ideas as well, such as a wallet made from an old bike tube.

i think that it's our patterns of consumption that represent almost all causes of the world's problems today. it's seemingly become human nature to want more than you need, and this leads to violence, poverty, and suburbs across the globe. ultimately these patterns will have to change. for now it's good that there are some alternatives springing up, and whether you need or simply want something, there an increasing likelihood that said thing can at least be somewhat sustainable.