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It’s all too easy to pick up an enticing bag of shiny plastic sequins or a handy can of spray paint, but when we take time to look at that product and ask ourselves ‘Did I buy that for convenience?’, then the answer if often yes.
Re-creations is here to offer creative alternatives for arts and crafts and we hope to show that making things in a more environmentally minded way doesn’t mean that the outcome has to be laborious, dull or shoddy – quite the opposite! |
Rethinking Arts and Crafts
Eco-minded means thinking and learning about the environment. We use the ‘cradle to cradle’ idea by taking into consideration the lifecycle of our product and everything that goes into making it.
We take a look at our project ideas and materials in three ways;
Before 
We look at those first decisions about what we set out to make, and assess from the outset what the better alternative might be. Can we re-think it?
During
We look at the process of making that object and see if there are alternative materials or processes that have less of an environmental impact. Are there eco-alternatives?
After
Many people are looking for new ways to reuse discarded items. Here at Re-creations we look a step ahead and want to find solutions that take into account the future of reused and recycled items. We look at the end result and see what will happen to it after it has been used. Can it be reused or recycled? Furthermore, does it give a strong environmental message to encourage others to be more eco-minded?
Eco merits
We aim to help recycle or creatively reuse materials by designing items built to last and reduce waste by avoiding landfill and replacing disposables.
These are the merits we assign to our Eco arts and crafts projects to give you an indication of their ‘eco credentials’:
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Zero waste This project can be made without creating any (or very minimal) waste at all |
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Shop wisely for Eco materials This project can be made with Organic, Fair Trade or Recycled craft materials – or with alternative craft materials made from natural materials |
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Reusable This item has been designed to last and used again and again, and reduces waste by replacing disposables |
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Returnable This item is temporary and can easily be transformed back into it’s previous use |
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Recyclable This item has been designed to be easily taken apart to be recycled when it is no longer usable |
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Compostable This project can be easily broken down for Natures own recycling |
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Environmental awareness raising This project has an intrinsic message that can inspire eco-action ideas to the wider community |
