by Barbara Matthiessen

Created on: April 15, 2008   Last Updated: April 19, 2008

RECYCLING AND RE-PURPOSING

Many crafts such as quilting, started as recycling projects. Fabric was so valuable in colonial times that every scrap was saved and utilized. Industrious women kept their families warm and homes decorated by making use and reuse of materials. Creating art and practical items from recycled goods is an old practice!

Most of us know and participate in waste recycling, sorting our plastics from cans from newspapers. Our progress in this area is remarkable and something we should all be very proud of. Many products are being made from post consumer recycles now from carpet and decking to felt and more are on the horizon.

Crafters and artists have always been drawn to recycling or re-purposing; no doubt many of you work this way without even thinking about it as helping the environment. We tend to save all sorts of scraps and bits and enjoy finding vintage pieces to work with. Bravo for us, now let's take this a step or two further.

First, I am a very strong believer in using up what you have; keep this stuff out of landfills! When it is time to for you to replace supplies that is the time to make a conscious consumer decision by purchasing safe, green materials that are ethically produced. Of course this only applies to safe, non-toxic materials. If you have anything toxic please consult local resources to dispose of them properly.

While we are on the subject of safety I'd like to illustrate the point with my favorite example of safe versus toxic recycling.

I save broken dishes and tiles to use in mosaics including damaged goods from thrift shops. To be able to safely use all of these they should be tested for lead and questionable other metals and chemicals. Even home lead testing kits would make testing very expensive so I choose to adjust my project designs. The projects I design with these supplies are art pieces that will not be handled much (I am not big on dusting!) and will never be in contact with food. I wear gloves and a mask while cutting, sanding, grouting and applying mosaic bits then apply multiple coats of sealer.

So what is safe to recycle? From my research most fabrics and fibers that have been washed are safe. Glass is safe as long as it's not sharp or jagged. Many plastics are non-reactive and deemed safe. Metals are a judgment call, some are some aren't. Some organics as in natural materials like gourds, shells, branches are safe and some need to be inspected for mold and other toxins. No list can replace individual research, inspection and judgment. If in doubt, throw it out, in the proper facility.

Recycling is great for creativity! The challenge and reward of creating something out of something destined to be trashed is incomparable, a real source of pride. Just be smart and safe about it.

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