Eco Creativity

This article continues a series of posts focused on UIG’s Mission 2022: Climate Change.  Help us build a comprehensive climate change collection by contributing content to UIG.  Contact us at info@universalimagesgroup.com

While much of the focus on recycling efforts worldwide has been on plastics, paper and glass, there is a movement underway to encourage consumers to see the value in recycling as many products as they can.  Products can often have a second life after their initial use, especially if we all value each product as a resource with many potential uses.

Bicycle part gate at LA Eco-Village. Started in 1993, LA Eco-Village demonstrates the processes for creating a healthy neighborhood ecologically, socially and economically and to reduce environmental impacts while raising the quality of neighborhood life. Photo: Citizen of the Planet/UIG

Landfills worldwide are under siege from an increasing amount of waste delivered to them.  Worldwide more than 2 billion tons of waste are created each year.  Considering that landfills are a large source of methane gas emissions worldwide, it is imperative that we find a way to reduce waste.  Recycling, repairing, reusing, and repurposing products are impactful ways to help resolve our climate crisis.

Yusuf creates a robot Transformers type insect at his home in Bogor, West Java, Indonesia on September 22, 2021. Yusuf creates art using a process of recycling waste useless products into creations and has economic value. Photo: Andi M. Ridwan/INA Photo Agency/UIG

Whether you’re recycling by sending materials for industrial reuse or reusing items by trying out creative recycling projects, you’re contributing to a global effort to improve our environment for everybody, and for the future.  

Second hand market in the ‘IJhallen’ in Amsterdam-north. Photo: Ton Koene/VW Pics/UIG

There are many sites providing lists of creative recycling ideas.  Here’s a few that caught our eye for both their creativity and simplicity:

  • Tin cans can be decorated and then used to hold pens, pencils and scissors, and cutlery.
  • Clear plastic or glass cups can make great candle holders.
  • Recycled plastic bottles and cans can be used to make good bird feeders.
  • Reuse plastic cups to start your garden by adding soil and seedlings to them.
  • Place a pillow and blanket inside recycled tires to make great dog or cat beds!
  • The paper rolls in the middle of toilet tissue and paper towels can be used reused as toys for children and pets.
  • Recycled clothing can be used in a variety of ways.  If you can’t donate the clothing, use them for creative projects (for example, blue jeans make a nice book cover or iPad cover, t-shirts cut into small strips can be used to create colorful bracelets)

All of the images featured in this post and on Kaleidoscope are available for licensing.  Please contact us at info@universalimagesgroup.com

Feature image: Nik Taylor/UIG

Sources:

Reuse This Bag https://www.reusethisbag.com/articles/creative-recycling-projects

Creative Recycling Projects from Common Household Items by Douglas Lober June 8, 2021

The Bella Vita https://www.the-bella-vita.com/clever-recycled-projects/

Visual Capitalist https://www.visualcapitalist.com/visualizing-the-global-landfill-crisis/

Covestro https://www.covestro.com/en/sustainability/what-drives-us/circular-economy/alternative-resources/waste?gclid=Cj0KCQjwmuiTBhDoARIsAPiv6L-xfBzGOf0cLCjWf_FX2o-GKktd3OPlMx5Mt9xSz5gJtonCDspgZpYaApihEALw_wcB

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