Humans create all kinds of waste.
We use things for awhile, then throw them in the landfill.
For those of you who know me, you already know that I am totally inspired by creating works of art with resources most people find have no value. And, at the @gardenofeden where I am blessed to thrive, we find great purpose for things most people consider trash.
Today, one of our used materials was an old shipping crate. These crates are generally used only once, then discarded.
We laid the crate on its side (with the door opening up in the front), on a used pallet we also saved from the dump. To make the door lighter and to create a cubby space on the floor on the inside, we cut the door from side to side, about 1/3 of the way up from the bottom, and added a trim piece to the raw edges. We also added a post in the center to help support the weight of the door.
Because this crate is not weatherproof, we needed to add a roof. For the stable base of the roof we used a recycled fence panel.
On top of the fence panel we attached several vinyl panels, that were once walls to a free-standing shed.
We attached the new waterproof roof to the crate, tilting it to the rear for rain run-off.
Whallah!!!
This will be dry storage for a few of our treasures, though I was imagining that with a couple of windows, the kids would be curling up in there with their pillows and blankets, utilizing it as a clubhouse. They could climb in and out over the wall that would contain their treasures.
We can paint it (with recycled, unused paint, of course), or give it some other sort of finishing touch.
Fence panels are incredibly easy to come by. Old fences are being replaced by new fences on a daily basis, and the old ones are generally taken to the landfill. Fence panels are great for many other projects too such as raised beds, wooden boxes, headboards, animal shelter and pathways (shown in my first photograph). I've created our living room and boutique floors out of fence pickets too.
Even fence panels that have deteriorated to the point of being unusable for structural or decorative uses, still have great purpose. At the @gardenofeden we use them to fuel our handmade cob oven and rocket stoves when cooking our daily meals, food preservation, homeless feeds and catering events.
We utilize these crates for multiple storage uses, and even for Teeny Tiny Homes. We add recycled windows and screens, paint them, and sometimes even put recycled wood flooring inside on the floors and walls! These teeny tiny houses have mattresses and a small dresser, and make for the perfect getaway nestled under the trees.
If you ever come to the @gardenofeden,
you may be blessed to occupy one of our teeny tiny homes in our crate village.
We challenge ourselves to utilize discarded materials as much as possible, giving thanks for the abundance. We have achieved a negative zero carbon footprint by producing more than we consume, and saving more from the landfill than we contribute to it.
I'm really grateful for creative minds. I love sharing my days with people who can think out of the box, consider new ways of engaging life and resources, and who are dedicated to building the life of their dreams.
Together we can make a difference.
Every step we take toward a more sustainable lifestyle
is one step closer to freedom!!!
Do you challenge yourself to live more sustainably?
@gardenofeden founder @quinneaker's post on What Is Sustainability, and Why It's So Important.
I'd like to share some other sustainable habits of our community.
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What a cute dragonfly on that cute teeny tiny home!!!
It really boggles my mind that people treat totally useable, totally valuable resources like trash.
Thanks for sharing an inspiring option for repurposing material, @everlove!!
It is simply amazing. I have friends with junkyards and have toured the piles and piles of waste. It is unbelievable the things that are thrown away--disgusting really! The sight of it made me never want to buy anything ever again, and I remember feeling somewhat ashamed that we had created such a mess that would not go away for a very very very long time, and was only getting bigger everyday.
I love that you care @saramiller. It's a delight to share time with you.
This is such a cool post. It actually makes me want to go outside and find some "junk" and create something beautiful with it. Thank you for sharing this with us kind soul x @everlove
It is truly my pleasure @itsgalactic. I love that you got a good feeling salvage moment out of this post. I really love sustainable art, and I see that in almost every facet of my life. Grateful to share this little piece with you. Thanks for taking the time to comment.
Things I do to make myself and others more sustainable:
I choose not to be employed so I can dedicate all my time to voluntarism.
I forage and dumpster all my food for the communal house I live in.
I have started a decentralized local food market in Gothenburg, Sweden.
I don't shower, only use rain water, sea, lakes and pure distilled water.
I am promoting a more fair and sustainable economy through using and sharing Blockchain technology through social media and in person.
I arrange gift circles, clothing swaps, gift shop and share the abundance of food.
I don't use toilet for peeing, only outside preferably on some plants! :)
YAYAYAYAYAY!!! Go @reko! Isn't it a beautiful life being in service to humanity and taking care of the earth we are honored to call our home. It is truly time for much to change, and I am thrilled to see you are being it already! There are so many opportunities to leave this world better because of our presence, and to help each other along the way. I'm excited to hear all the things that you re "doing". It's a rare one that has instigated and acted in accordance with their values. Thank you so much for your comment. BRAVO for you!!!
Such a great way to re-purpose that container. I would TOTALLY go for the outdoor reading nook! A few curtains and cushions, oh man!
That would certainly be charming @jaymorebeet. How about a teeny tiny library, or meditation sanctuary, or artist's nook? ....?? So many possibilities!!!
Really good article. Thanks you for giving me some insight :)
Thanks for being there to receive @rkb. I'm grateful to share some information of value.
Upvoted & RESTEEMED :]
Thank you @agent007. I so appreciate your comment and your screen name too!
vary ingenious! this is whats all about why pay hundreds of dollars when you can just recycle and be creative in the process :)
I have to say that it is so much fun to find creative ways to use materials, and creative ways to utilize the materials you already have for the things you need. It really stretches the imagination and sparks the creative genius within. That is much more enjoyable to me than to purchase things at stores and perpetuate the things I say I don't want. Everyday I get to experience something new, only limited by my imagination. There are many layers of benefit in a sustainable lifestyle. Thanks for your presence here @drumsta. I appreciate your comment.
Awesome, I try to waste as little as possible myself. I think it's a good thing to do
It feels good for sure to be in harmony with our home. Thanks for your comment @rawpride.
Very Nicely Done
I appreciate that @goldkey!!
I like your publications, I also love to reuse and create new things, from a child. And over time research and develop certain knowledge that help me a little.
Me tooooo!! What a great life it is to be creative!
I would come and stay at your teeny tiny crate home. You have so much to teach me. Please post more. Your way of life is just too cool, love love it. Upvoted
Greetings @gardengirlcanada. It's always fun to share with people of like mind. The @gardenofeden has existed for about 8 years and we have had A LOT of experience in A LOT of different things. We have really figured some things out and love it when what we have to offer is received. I intend to keep my presence here on Steemit, and support the community building of this platform as well. Thank you for the upvote and your comment.
I believe you'll enjoy our website: http://www.intothegardenofeden.com/
I have been to it already several times. Please do stay with this platform as your knowledge is invaluable. Thanks for the dedication.
I appreciate that what we share is of value to you. Times are a changing and the information we share may be of benefit to many someday. Grateful you are tuning in now @gardengirlcanada. I'm grateful to share with you.
Great idea to save the nature. We are very cruel to the nature. Using nature on our wish. Thanks for pointing out a huge problem of ours.
I often use things and toss them away in garbage. I am not a recycled junky, but happy to know that its being done.
I love recycling. I find it not only beneficial for the earth, but beneficial for our children, beneficial for our brains and our bodies. It helps the world as a whole. The alternative of consumerism not only takes away from the earth, but then also gives back only waste. Humans are the only beings on the planet that do such a thing. I think it is always worth considering other ways. Thank you for your comment @delvamaynardreid.
Great Post. I keep my open for all kinds of material that no one wants. There is always a use.
Thanks @r2cornell. A kindred treasure hunter, eh? Yes, in my book everything has potential!
Agreed! My shop is full of projects that were items people were going to throw away. Then I have an old barn that I have other things stored. I even have the original windows that were on my house that was built in 1961. My daughter has used a couple for craft projects. Good "treasure hunting"!
It takes a real creative mind to repurpose materials. Classically trained builders often have a difficult time trying to figure out how to make things work, when the project requires utilizing what is available and not simply purchasing the particulars from a store. Everything truly does have potential and it is so rewarding to figure out how to put it to good use. I love that you enjoy it too. Thanks for being here @r2cornell.
Thank you
together we can and we will make a difference. That I believe, thank you for promoting sustainability . Xoxo
Truly my pleasure @lovevolution. Thank you for caring about sustainability. A difference is being made already! <3
Love building stuff from recycled materials. My back yard is full of projects built from re-claimed architectural materials! These materials have a certain fullness about them.
That's a great way to put it @bitinformant. I really love things with history, things that have had some life already and have their own funny little quirks about them. I can see we share that in common. Grateful to know you!
Great post
Congratulations!
Thanks @rtdcs!
I am absolutely in love with your garden of eden 💕💕
Oh my gosh!!! Me too!!! It's an incredibly fulfilling life on an expansive spectrum of possibility. I give thanks everyday for my life, @quinneaker, @saramiller and others who are creating this thriving reality with me. Grateful to have you here with us @mcmanusmom. I appreciate your comment.
Awesome. I liked the end of your post the best though: "We challenge ourselves to utilize discarded materials as much as possible, giving thanks for the abundance. We have achieved a negative zero carbon footprint by producing more than we consume, and saving more from the landfill than we contribute to it." I followed you because of that statement alone!
So you guys are going to love this: Ecobricks! Have you heared of them? I make ecobricks out of all my plastic, and plastic that I pick up daily. It's the ultimate in repurposing. I'll be posting a lot about them. You can also see our site. www.Ecobricks.org
Isn't it great when you really feel the value in repurposing? It's incredibly fulfilling to make something valuable out of waste. The Ecobrick is awesome. It's very cool that you are taking the opportunity to upgrade the earth. It seems we have a lot in common. I'm grateful to share with you @russmaier.
I'll have to show you some pictures of my lovely planters made from recycled pallets sometime
Yes, please do!! You know I would love to see that. Did you make them yourself?
Love this!! :) I'm passionate about reducing waste and making my home more sustainable. Following you!
Oh yeah---another someone tuning into the fun and importance of upgrading our existence!!! Thanks for the upvote and follow @sarahtops9000. I'm going your way to see what's up with you!