The Upcycle Exchange is an pilot program aimed at initiating a cradle-to-cradle inspired production concept for the indie craft community. The basic premise is that customers can receive incentives, such as discounts on merchandise or other perks, when they collect and donate materials that crafters use to create handmade merchandise. Micro-manufacturers have formed a vast network both on the internet and in their communities over the past 10 years, and have enjoyed an explosion of popularity through local events and online shops. In light of the endlessly varied aesthetic tastes and resourcefulness of these well-connected cottage industries, we think they exhibit a huge potential to absorb over-consumption, and serve as a model for producing more sustainable domestic goods.
Project coordinator, Autumn Wiggins (former head writer for Crafting a Green World and founder of the Strange Folk Festival in O’Fallon. IL), had first presented this concept to the indie craft community at Craft Con 2008. After speaking on the topic again at Maker Faire, she wrote a series of Earth Day posts for Etsy’s Storque, and the article “Craft a Green World” in Craft: Magazine’s 09 issue, Crafting Green. After further pondering, she devised this effort to organize and evolve the concept. Autumn and her merry band of green crafters have been experimenting with implementing the program within a circuit of St. Louis area craft shows during the summer and fall of ‘09. it has been a huge success, and is currently transitioning to a central location set-up. Plans to open-source the project are in the works.
“A lot of perfectly useful raw materials get thrown in the trash every day. Reclaiming items after they have fulfilled their usefulness has never been a factor in design until now. The idea is for our customers put new intentions on belongings, and we can give them motivation to do so.The cradle to cradle philosophy suggests that all man-made materials should be circulated through one of two closed systems in a world without waste. It involves rethinking the way things are assembled, so they may be disassembled. Parts designated as “technical nutrients,” replenish industry infinitely through upcycling or re-purposing. “Biological nutrients” on the other hand, are derived from sustainable natural resources. They can be thrown on the ground, not only without concern, but to the benefit of the soil.”
“It’s important to expect green and humane practices from our (craft) suppliers, but in this scenario, exponentially more importance is placed on new ideas. There is unmatched resourcefulness within the indie craft movement, so here’s an idea for you… Turning trash into treasure often involves scouring through what others have thrown “away.” Sellers, why not create a direct relationship with consumers to promote participation in upcycling, and have materials we want essentially brought to us?”
“Through initiatives like these, we could begin to demonstrate a closed system that sustains itself on waste…technical nutrients in action! This concept is being realized from the top down by industry. What if we could create awareness from the bottom up, and meet them in the middle?
“Certainly, it may take a little while to catch on, but we are in for a long-term incremental transition to non-toxic manufacturing and alternative fuels.”
Excerpts from Make Like a Tree: Part 2 on Etsy’s Storque blog
Questions? Comments? Just e-mail upxchange@gmail.com
