Category Archives: Environment

ReStore – Refuse Remover Sponsor

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2012 Business Challenge
Materials: Leather from de-constructed chair, tire chains.creativity.

Transforming trash, inspiring community for a sustainable earth.  Some might say this tag line is a little grand for a fashion show motivated by trash creativity.  But in fact our goal is to educate, inspire,entertain and take action to help create a more sustainably minded community.

Our first year, when we started planning Rubbish Renewed, we searched for like-minded organizations to collaborate with.  We immediately encountered The Bend Area Habitat for Humanity ReStore. Like us their mission is to engage the community, not just thinking about their impact on the environment, but acting on it.

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Shop. Donate. Volunteer.
ReStore: 740 NE First Street, Bend, Or

If you’ve never been, the ReStore is the ideal place to find treasures of used and surplus home improvement items.  Donate your no longer needed building materials, appliances and home furnishings or discover that special object you were looking for.  All proceeds benefit Bend Area Habitat for Humanity, providing home ownership, home repair & weatherization services for hard-working, low-income local families and individuals.

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2011 Business Challenge
Materials: Blinds, Screening & Plastic Light Covers

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Treasures

With an eye on the environment and the support of an important community cause, ReStore is the go to place for all your home improvement needs.  Check out their offerings including a new “line” of up-cycled merchandise.

Remember the Runway in 2011 . . .

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RubbishRenewedRunway_2011-2007Remember year 2 . . .

  • When we had our first business challenge garments battling it out on the runway from ReStore, Wabi Sabi, Cuppa Yo, The Horned Hand, Utilitu Sew and the Environmental Center?
  • When there were 11 pieces made my middle and high school students?
  • When Panambi arrived on the Rubbish Renewed scene and blew our minds?
  • When the list of unique materials included:
    • A kiddy pool
    • Cone holders and spoons
    • Capri Sun containers
    • Maps
    • Egg cartons
    • Cat food bags
    • Slides and photo negatives
    • 45 vinyl records
    • Candy wrappers
    • Toilet paper tubes
    • Tickets
    • Window blinds
    • Bicycle tubes and shop rags
    • Paper bags, newspaper & magazines
    • Burlap

    Check out the newly posted Gallery, Runway 2011, featuring the garments from our second year!

Remember When 2010 . . .

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Remember year one  . . .

Designer: Karen Holm Materials: Ties

  • When we first saw fused plastic bags become a runway worthy garment?
  • When school lunch boats rocked a skirt?
  • When cassette tape sparkled like beads?
  • When beanie babies became a faux fur coat?
  • When an old tipi canvas with sharpie pictographs caused a phone bidding war and sold for $2450 at our auction?
  • When the 1st community garment, sharing the sustainability wishes of Bend residents, was born?
  • When Rubbish Renewed hit the Bend, must attend event scene?

Check out the newly posted Gallery, Runway 2010, featuring the garments from our first year!

Have you ever imagined . . .?

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Necklaces, zipper pulls, and earrings are the creations made by “Just A Little Charm” out of copper salvaged from the old Bend Bulletin’s roof.

Bend, Oregon is an incredibly cool place to live.  Although the community has grown substantially since I moved here in 2000, it still has a small town feel.  Walking downtown, I always bump into someone I know eager to engage in a meaningful discussion.  People here not only hold “important” conversations, like how to make a difference in their community, they take action.  One approach comes from the willingness, no, eagerness to think about waste, and to do something about it in an ingenious way.  I’ve never met so many creative, capable, motivated and sustainably minded people in a small area (accept maybe Lopez Island – but that’s another story).

So have you ever thought about tiny speakers built into reused ALTOIDS tins?  Sculpted bowls formed from old records?  What about bold jewelry and accessories created from vintage Formica or salvaged roof copper?  These are just a smattering of the imaginative and well-crafted offerings available this year in the Marketplace at the Rubbish Renewed Eco Fashion Show on December 6th.  Check out these pieces for a taste of what’s to come.

N. Spekktor specializes in handmade treasures created from household items, journals, and old vinyl records.

Connect the Minty Blaster to the headphone jack on your portable music player and its built-in amplifier will provide a roomful of curiously strong, curiously hip mono sound.

Marketplace spaces are going quickly, so if you are interested, checkout the vendor submission info and grab a space before they’re gone.