Passion for Untrashing

In a world where everything is disposable, one has to find new and creative ways to save the environment. 10 years ago, my dad and I started to upcycle glass and ceramic plates and bowls. We never thought it would grow into a newfound passion. Every year we add a new upcycled project. We currently make tire planters, solar flowers, lanterns, mushrooms, and solar chandeliers. The lanterns are made using light globes that are being thrown out do to one or more breaking and not being able to find matching replacements. We use old forgotten vases and bowls for the mushrooms. Tractor tires are the majority of what we use for the tire planters. Unless you set the tire on fire, it will just sit there in a landfill taking up space. Most of the materials we use are found at thrift stores or rummage sales. Over the past decade, we have kept thousands of non-biodegradable items from being tossed into landfills. The best part about this hobby isn’t the creative aspect, even though that is amazing, it is the knowledge that we are doing our part to help save the environment. As Richard Branson said, “There is no planet B. We have to take care of the one we have.”. If everyone does one thing to help decrease the amount of garbage that they throw away, we can help preserve the earth for future generations. Whether it is using reusable bags to carry groceries or switching back to actual kitchenware, every little bit will help. As a younger person, I am aware of the fact that the earth, while massive, is an infinite space that we are readily using up. By keeping these items out of the landfills and in people’s yards, we are breathing new life into old pieces that would have been tossed away.

I have found myself becoming more environmentally aware since we started this hobby. There are various ways that one individual can help Mother Earth. Composting, recycling , and using sustainable or reusable materials are just some of the options. There are so many products that are being made into zero waste items. Face scrubbers, sponges, and ear swabs are just some of the options that are available. I have personally used the silicone ear swabs and shampoo bars and I will say that they work just as well if not better than the alternatives. While the price tag does seem excessive at first, they fact that they last longer cuts down on the price per use which makes them cheaper in the long run. While it is a massive undertaking to go 100% waste free, one or two small changes is a feasible idea. Something as simple as using real plates and utensils can greatly reduce the amount of waste that one person, let alone an entire family, will throw out in a year. While the thought of washing dishes every night is a daunting idea, think about the long run. What kind of world do you want your children or grandchildren to inherit from you, one that is overrun with the smell that radiates from dumps or one where they can relax in nature and actually stop and smell the roses? I would personally like to leave the people of the future the kind of nature that I was raised with where the deer, birds, and bugs are just as much our neighbors as the people that live next door. We, as a whole, need to focus on the big picture.. The more of us that help, the better chance we have to preserve this wonderful planet for future generations.

In a world where everything is disposable, one has to find new and creative ways to save the environment. 10 years ago, my dad and I started to upcycle glass and ceramic plates and bowls. We never thought it would grow into a newfound passion. Every year we add a new upcycled project. We currently make tire planters, solar flowers, lanterns, and solar chandeliers. Most of the materials we use are found at thrift stores or rummage sales. Over the past decade, we have kept thousands of non-biodegradable items from being tossed into landfills. The best part about this hobby isn’t the creative aspect, even though that is amazing, it is the knowledge that we are doing our part to help save the environment. As Richard Branson said, “There is no planet B. We have to take care of the one we have.”. If everyone didn’t thing to help decrease the amount of garbage that they throw away, we can help preserve the earth for future generations. Whether it is using reusable bags to carry groceries or switching back to actual kitchenware, every little bit will help. By keeping these items out of the landfills and in people’s yards, we are breathing new life into old pieces that would have been tossed away. The more of us that help, the better chance we have at preserving this amazing planet.