Which of your possessions bring you the greatest joy?
Is it a cherished ceramic mug, created by a dear friend? A hand-crafted family heirloom, passed down and laden with meaning?That beautiful second-hand desk, which fit perfectly in your room? Or maybe it’s a cosy sweater that’s been repeatedly patched and lovingly worn every holiday season for as long as you can remember.
These are the special possessions we can’t replace at the local dollar store or through an online fast fashion retailer. We value these items deeply, the materials they’re made of, and the stories wound around them. These objects capture moments and memories and show us that physical things can be beautiful and full of meaning.
This valuing of objects and the materials needed to make them is the essence of a Circular Economy, which involves the careful use of resources, conscientious consumption, and reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling existing materials and products as long as possible. The belief with a Circular Economy is that physical objects should be cared for – that they should be well-made, so they can be repaired (at Repair Cafés, especially!), and recycled in every way possible. It is centred around reducing waste, conserving resources, and valuing the object and its materials. It is very different from the planned obsolescence (making items meant to be thrown away) that has driven our “consumer culture” for generations.
At ReImagine West Shore, we strongly believe in the principles of a Circular Economy, which is why we’re SO excited about our next event, UPCYCLED, coming up in collaboration with Royal Bay Secondary School.
Over the past few months, students have been gathering all kinds of broken and second-hand products to remake them into something new. They’re learning to look at objects differently, not just as junk to be discarded – they’re exploring all the ways things can be reused and reinvented, into clothing, home décor, or fibre arts, stretching their creativity to utilize what’s in front of them, and to see possibilities where others might just see a garbage can.
It’s a new way of viewing the world, and we’re excited to see all the possibilities through their eyes.
Join us on Saturday, April 27th from 10am-6pm at the Westshore Town Centre for “UPCYCLED – It Takes a Village to Reimagine Our World”. We’ll also be featuring demos from local crafters and creators to showcase upcycling projects you can try at home, as well as lots of information about how to make more sustainable choices that can help save the planet AND save you money!