Finished making my little Diablo bag + Nacho keychain!!!!

IF DISNEY DOESN'T GIVE ME SO THE DRAMA MERCHANDISE THEN FINE, I'LL MAKE IT MYSELF!

“In order to keep their little island the pristine Aegean paradise it is, Tilos has gotten rid of their landfill, and replaced it with a circular system that has reduced total waste by 86%.

After being implemented this May, the island of around 750 inhabitants quickly saw progress, after they transformed the landfill into a recycling center and removed the large public common bins for trash.

Set up by Polygreen, the Just Go Zero initiative is hoping to steer other Greek islands towards similar programs.

All biodegradable waste is turned into soil treatments, while plastic, metal, glass, and paper are all recycled.

For non-recyclable goods there is an upcycle center for still-working, as well as for electronics and clothes, either for re-use by someone else, or for artistic creations.

“A new culture starts today in Tilos,” said Polygreen founder Athanasios Polychronopoulos, “a culture characterized by 100% landfill diversion, full circular waste management and, most importantly, a completely new perception of life. We are envisioning a future, where waste will only be seen in museums.”” -via Good News Network, 11/30/22

Sustainable gift wrapping ideas

Introduction:

Everyone likes unwrapping a gift, but why buy new wrapping paper when there are more fun ways to wrap a gift that don't require buying and throwing away new paper?

Two ways to avoid waste when gift-wrapping:

Here's a few ideas:

Reusing materials:

Anything made of paper or cardboard can be drawn on to customise your gift's look.

A gift as a wrap:

(Image source) [ID: a graphic showing 14 ways to wrap an item using furoshiki: otsukai tsutsumi, yotsu musubi, suika tsutsumi, katakake fukuro, entou tutsumi, hira tsutsumi, tesage bukuro, kousa tsutsumi, hon tsutsumi, futatsu tsutsumi, kakushi tsutsumi, bin tsutsumi 1, bin tsutsumi 2, sao tsutsumi.]

(Image source) [ID: a gift wrapped in a newspaper page with cartoons printed on it. Beige yarn is tied around the gift.]

Who's the present for?

If you don't know where to start, think about the person you're wrapping a gift for. Do they like fashion? Maybe get a second-hand scarf they'll like and wrap your gift in it. Do they like cooking? There's plenty of cool casseroles or Tupperware to be found at second-hand stores. Maybe your giftee just started living on their own and still need to buy their own bath linen: why not wrap their gift in a towel?

(Image source) [ID: a gift wrapped in a red dishcloth with white lines and fringes. Twigs of holly and ivy have been tucked in one of the cloth's folds.]

Conclusion:

Unconventional wrapping methods are fine, and so is not wrapping a gift at all. People are happy they're getting a gift! So what if it's not wrapped in fancy paper?

There's plenty of ways to wrap a gift in a sustainable way without taking away the fun of unwrapping. Want some more ideas? Check out these zero waste gift wrapping guides by Trash Is For Tossers, Greenpeace, and Sustainably Chic.

(And while we're on the topic: it's totally fine to give someone a handmade or second-hand gift, too. The perfect gift isn't new or store-bought, but thoughtful.)

COMMUNAL IDEAS TO CHANGE YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD

The Covid-19 crisis has effected people in many ways, financially being one of the most prominent. The concepts below won’t solve food/financial insecurity, but they can change somebody’s day for the better. I do believe acts of kindness can change the world.              

The Little Free Pantry

The Little Free Pantry was created by Jessica McClard in Arkansas May 2016 to help combat food insecurity. They are made the same way as the popular Little Free Libraries are! 

Things to Donate: non-perishables, school supplies, personal hygiene products  Include: diversified options for different ethnicities and people with diet restrictions (e.g. vegan, gluten free, allergies, etc.) Tip: some creators are omitting/removing the doors for extra safety precaution for Covid-19

Image Credit

Givebox

The Givebox was created by Andreas Richer a decade ago in Berlin. It is a closet or shed that is made out of reclaimed items (like old windows, doors, or wood) that holds once beloved items or things that you never really use, for people to take for free. 

Tip: Decorate and make signage to help passerbyers not confuse it with a garbage bin/area

Image Credit  

Community Produce Stand

This idea was created by Mark Dennis, who was inspired to do something about food waste. If you have a garden that yields extra food, you could start a Community Produce Stand in your neighborhood. Here is a guide how to set one up! 

Foods Accepted: fruits, vegetables, eggs and baked goods (label day you baked/gathered eggs)  Foods Not Accepted: cooked food 

Image Credit

Read more: https://www.thehappybroadcast.com/news/vegan-leather-upcycled-from-pineapple-waste

More Father’s Day ideas here.

Start your DIY project with these brown kraft paper bags.