Waste Wanted: Artists & Reclamation in Providence

Frequently, I find my job requires loads of creativity - and paper - in order to find a solution for any given project. The funny part about this is that the end result of these projects are all websites, which conversely, are what allow for "green" alternatives for otherwise traditionally paper-based services, like newspapers, bank statement delivery, and bill paying. Even though I work with conscientious collaborators, it never ceases to amaze me that at the end of each project I'm left with stacks and stacks of scribbled-on worksheets, notes and meetings agendas, no matter how hard we try to utilize PDFs, online forums and extranets. Faced with such output, you would think that recycling would be the simple and most direct answer. But through the confusing magic of New York City building classifications, our office doesn't qualify to have such an option. In the meantime, coworkers and I have taken to feeding used pages back through the printer, so at least then we are bringing a second life to what would otherwise be thrown out.

That's why when I stumbled upon the Waste Not Want Not website, I found their mission and methods refreshingly resourceful. Their goal is succinctly stated like so:

"Waste Not Want Not is a non profit organization with the mission to make use of unwanted and discarded materials, reducing waste and promoting resourcefulness to benefit and enrich Providence’s creative community. In these hard times, there is no time like the present to change wasteful consumer attitudes in a radical and inspiring way. Our aim is to educate through redistributing, reclaiming and recycling found and donated used, scrap or excess materials and to provide the tools and equipment as well as skills to make this possible."

In the spirit of dumpster diving, freeganing, and other reclamation methods and lifestyle choices, inspiration for Waste Not Want Not is literally found in what others consider rendered useless or having otherwise served its intended purpose. By creating a base point in which a material has already had a start and end date, a history seems inherently interwoven into its next iteration, whether it be a piece of fine art or an apparel item. This inclusion of a past life is seemingly fitting for the organization which draws on the historic textile industry in its home-base of Providence, RI.

The organization gives not a just a second life to these otherwise rejected items, but also strives to create a venue in which to teach others textile skills through evening events, programs and classes, or through use of their studio equipment, and all-in-all, foster and support a creative community. This works symbiotically in that the organization relies on that community to make their business run, either by utilizing artistic juices to create these retail goods, or simply calling out for material donations, volunteer opportunities, and involvement as customers.

With thoughts and motivations like these, the reams of printed and marked up paper next to my desk are looking more and more like an opportunity to create rather than like a totally disposable pile. With the holidays coming, maybe those old worksheets, site maps, and Excel docs could be turned into a set of stationery or Christmas cards. And the thoughts begin to churn...

To find out more about Waste Not Want Not and to view some of their sample creations, visit their website.

photo: courtesy http://wnwnprovidence.org/