Reuse

What do you do with items that are in good condition but are not needed any more? You could have a yard sale, throw them away, or try to recycle them, but Throwplace.com offers another alternative that both benefits the environment and people in need.

In 1999, Throwplace.com was developed by Lomangino as an internet site of exchange. The process is easy, fast, and simple. Charities, businesses, and individual people can all contribute. Anyone can list online possessions they are willing to give away. Then, interested people can take what they like for free.

For his Senior Project, Terrell Carter decided to study the environmental impacts of the pulp and paper industry, present some solutions to these impacts, and work to change his school’s purchasing habits and to increase paper consciousness. Carter succeeded in his goal of “Reducing, Reusing, and Recycling”: Lopez School faculty and students now give more thought to their paper consumption (for example, they print double-sided), reuse paper, and buy recycled paper.

Making art out of junk mail? It may sound like a strange premise, but Sandy Schimmel of Schimmel Art does just that. With her collection of portraits constructed from materials like newspaper ads, greeting cards, and even junk mail, Schimmel turns trash into treasure.

Just looking at her cutting edge artworks, it’s hard to believe that such beauty came from everyday objects.

“I am a rabid recycler,” She admits in the artist’s statement on her site. “I’m compelled to utilize unusual resources to create my art.”