Statistics like those released by the US EPA showing that, in 2017, the US produced the equivalent of 4.51 pounds of waste per person per day, are certainly alarming. Tackling that sheer volume of waste creation seems daunting, and to be honest, a little overwhelming. However, there are things each of us can do to reduce our impact.
Reduce
No doubt the best thing to do is to create less waste in the first place. After all, if we don’t generate it then this article ends right now, I get to stop writing, you get to stop reading, and we all get to have a nice cup of tea and a biscuit. However, for most crafters zero waste from a project is only a dream. I am a knitter and there is something that all knitters know – it NEVER takes exactly a certain number of balls to complete the project. I have lost county of the number of times I have had to start a new ball of yarn just to finish those last 4 rows. Attics, spare rooms, and closets all over the world groan with the weight of those almost full, two-thirds full, and random small scrap balls that we all collect over the years.
Reuse
Now many of us are lucky and find a use for those little bits and bobs – a funky throw, a blanket for a favorite pet, a very colorful Dr Who style scarf. However, for many others these odd and ends just sit taking up storage space until they are sent to landfill.
SewGreen Rochester seeks to change that by collecting those odd bits in a special section of the store known as Scrappy Land.
While I buy plenty of full balls from their shelves this is really my favorite place to find yarn. Although it is more work to decide how to use it when you only have a limited supply, I like the fact that this is really the stuff that others wouldn’t think of to use. I certainly enjoy the challenge of giving it a new life!
Recycle
Stop by my blog in future weeks to find out more about where I source recycled fabric yarn.
L x