In my real world, outside of my computer, I work for a bank that runs a super cool kids program for elementary children to teach financial literacy and responsibility. Older elementary-aged children create their own bank within their school--taking on roles like teller, CEO, or treasurer. My part in this picture is helping the kids create promotions to encourage other students to save money. This means that together we dream up ways to educate and incentivize saving money; most importantly, we try to make it fun for the whole school. This laundry list of intentions tends to use a fair bit of construction paper, as you'd imagine.
Naturally, my first thought when given nearly a year full of programming was to visit the Reuse Centre! With the help of my co-lead, we put together a crafty Tickle Trunk that could rival even the most impressive DIYer collections. We found cool paper, felt bits, lace, colouring tools and even some administrative essentials like binders and duotangs for our board members. Being there made me realize how very possible it is to utilize the centre in a more regular, everyday way, especially when it comes to creative projects and the classroom.
More than anything, I was inspired by Edmonton’s reuse community. Walking through the aisles of the Reuse Centre made me aware not only of the people who, in the middle of the Tuesday workday, took the time to shop unconventionally, but also of the people who realized that they had too much tile, paper, or too many bottle caps. These people saw value in these items beyond their own personal use and they took active steps to keep their unwanted items out of the waste system. These people believe in a community where trash is often also treasure, and I feel pretty proud to be part of it.
Many acknowledge that the best way to create a shift in our culture's value and waste practices is to start at home--shifting the way we, individually, interact with the endless mass of things that surround us and make way into our lives. Continuing to shop at the Reuse Centre and incorporating it into my programming allows me, in very small subtle ways, to start conversations about what these changes could look like in the worlds of students, customers and colleagues. For example, what if we reused our posters from week to week with minor tweaks, or what if we sought out promotional incentives that focused on experiences rather than new things? One member of my board of directors even suggested that we run tours of our "bank" for other students instead of sending them home with sugary treats or fidget spinners. Brilliant.
Onwards through 2020!
More than anything, I was inspired by Edmonton’s reuse community. Walking through the aisles of the Reuse Centre made me aware not only of the people who, in the middle of the Tuesday workday, took the time to shop unconventionally, but also of the people who realized that they had too much tile, paper, or too many bottle caps. These people saw value in these items beyond their own personal use and they took active steps to keep their unwanted items out of the waste system. These people believe in a community where trash is often also treasure, and I feel pretty proud to be part of it.
Many acknowledge that the best way to create a shift in our culture's value and waste practices is to start at home--shifting the way we, individually, interact with the endless mass of things that surround us and make way into our lives. Continuing to shop at the Reuse Centre and incorporating it into my programming allows me, in very small subtle ways, to start conversations about what these changes could look like in the worlds of students, customers and colleagues. For example, what if we reused our posters from week to week with minor tweaks, or what if we sought out promotional incentives that focused on experiences rather than new things? One member of my board of directors even suggested that we run tours of our "bank" for other students instead of sending them home with sugary treats or fidget spinners. Brilliant.
Onwards through 2020!
Photo and submission by Jess (Volunteer)
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