Refreshed.is

Upcycling plastic bags into new products

Dave Radparvar — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 02:03:29 +0000

“I definitely subscribe to this view that citizens today are not really concerned about the environment. Life has become so self-centered that they don’t exactly think, ‘what are they doing?’ It’s a really funny situation where you want to live in an international city, but you don’t want to follow the rules of an international city.”

An amazing video featuring the community of 300+ rag-pickers in New Delhi, India, where the materials for our Holstee Upcycled Wallets are sourced, and the ways in which they transform plastic bags and other waste into useable, sustainable and beautiful products. Truly inspiring!

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A buzzworthy upcycled notebook

Dave Radparvar — Thu, 22 Nov 2012 01:31:39 +0000

Talk about buzz-worthy.

Now you have a place to jot down your caffeine-crazed ideas, thanks to innovative sustainable designer, Christian Ripley: “Ripley repurposes used coffee cups into unique notebooks that give your doodles and poetry a place to percolate.”

We’re all for limiting what ends up in our landfills, as well as creative new ways to make cool products out of would-be waste.

For the full article via inhabitat, go here.

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Craigslist Joe: community through craigslist

Dave Radparvar — Sat, 17 Nov 2012 01:44:21 +0000

“Some say we’ve lost the sense of community that used to carry us through tough times. Some say technology and social media fuel this isolation. Have we become so caught up in our own lives that we don’t notice life outside our bubble? In my own small way, I’m gonna try to find out.”

These words come from 29-year-old Joseph Garner, who is better known now as Craigslist Joe. In this original documentary, Garner, in an attempt to revive that sense of community now lost and regain his hope in humanity, decides to live for an entire month off of craigslist.

This ambitious endeavor has a catch: Garner begins with no money and no contacts whatsoever, carrying with him only an (empty) phone, a laptop, and a backpack. “I’m just seeing if I can, A. survive,” Garner says, “and B. Try to travel America. See if I can find a community out there.” He aims to fully rely on the kindness of others for simple needs such as food and shelter, as well as deeper connections such as human relationships and stories.

“Reality is far stranger than any fiction Hollywood can come up with.” Stranger, yes. And also far more inspiring. Finding odd job opportunities, volunteering, attending open classes, taking road trips, and discovering instantaneous bonds of commonality, this film is 100% worth the watch as Garner discovers that people still possess the ability to be there for one another, against any odds that prove otherwise.

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Ethnotek, Quality laptop bags from ethnic textiles

Dave Radparvar — Sun, 11 Nov 2012 00:46:11 +0000

Minnesota based start-up Ethnotek have created high quality laptop bags that incorporate hand made, ethnic textiles- including a removable panel called a “thread” which opens up each bag to host a wide variety of beautifully crafted, vibrant patterns. Each unique design is crafted by artisan villages ranging from Ghana and Guatemala, to India and Indonesia.

“The ETHNOTEK® tribe is made up of a small group of creative people with passion and dedication to the mission of spreading cultural appreciation and awareness. Our chosen medium to get the message out is high-quality backpacks and messenger bags designed to bring culture and functionality to our busy everyday lives”.

Providing both backpacks and messenger bags with padded laptop compartments, shoulder straps, zipper pockets and each with multiple interchangeable threads, these bags are a great way to support sustainable business without sacrificing design or functionality.

Looking forward to seeing more of the cultural prints make their way into New York City streets.

Follow Ethnotek on Twitter, find them on Facebook, and check out their blog.

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Turning food waste into fashion

Dave Radparvar — Tue, 06 Nov 2012 00:46:05 +0000

If you didn’t want to finish your food, would you wear it?

London-based designer Hoyan Ip seems to thinks it’s this season’s hottest look. Coined Bio-Trimmings, Ip creates buttons, belt buckles, sequins, and other embellishments, using a very specific process of drying, cooking down, and blending, all to transform this unused food into wearing and sustainable statements. Aiming to challenge the nothing-new notion in the ever-revolving world of styles and trends, Ip says: “[This project] holds a key to both sustainable fashion creation and reduction of global issues of food waste.”

All available in a variety of sizes, shapes, and colors, these Bio-Trimmings save your unused food a trip to the local landfill and aim to dramatically cut down on food waste–did you know the average American household throws away nearly 40% of all their uneaten, unspoiled food? Every day?

If you had to wear your leftovers, would you think twice about waste?

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Bikapolis NYC

Dave Radparvar — Thu, 01 Nov 2012 21:05:07 +0000

With so many still stranded and without power in NYC, and with a subway system that has experienced record-breaking flooding in over 600 miles of track below the city, Bikeapolis, an organization that helps riders “cycle social and cycle safer,” has put together an incredibly helpful list of resources for those who are currently trying to navigate this water-wrecked city on two wheels.

Stay safe out there.

Photo courtesy of NYC Biketrain’s Facebook.

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Visualizing the benefits of working from home.

Dave Radparvar — Tue, 30 Oct 2012 23:45:51 +0000

Fast Company provides a visual break-down of the benefits of telecommuting, or working from home, a trend that seems to be increasing rapidly over recent years. Here’s to striking a balance, less stress, increasing productivity and answering emails in your pajamas: who would know?

For the full article by Ariel Schwartz, go here.

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