Greensboro, N.C., July 24, 2024 – Creative reuse leaders from across the East Coast have announced the formation of a new alliance called The Southeast Creative Reuse Collective. This innovative peer network aims to boost waste diversion while offering local communities affordable and accessible creative materials. The collective was formed by a diverse group of leaders who convened in Greensboro on July 13 & 14 to foster community, promote sustainability, and seek ways to share resources among the creative reuse industry. Reconsidered Goods in Greensboro and The Art SHAC in Winston-Salem co-hosted this first-time event.
“We are so honored to work with our friends at The Art SHAC in organizing this inaugural event. The energy and sense of camaraderie were overwhelming. We plan to stay in touch by Zoom every other month and organize a yearly summit. As an industry, we encourage generosity of time, sharing of resources, and mutual support. Our vision is a Creative Reuse Center in every city.” Catena Bergevin, Reconsidered Goods Executive Director.
What is Creative Reuse?
Sometimes referred to as upcycling, this practice involves transforming used or discarded materials into new products, often of higher quality or value than the original items, thereby reducing waste and promoting environmental stewardship.
Key Aspects of Creative Reuse Centers:
1. Environmental Impact: Thousands of pounds of useable materials are diverted from landfills, and the effects of making new ones are reduced. It also offers a place for households and businesses to donate materials that would otherwise be thrown away.
2. Innovation, Creativity, & Education: Creative Reuse Centers encourage innovative thinking, tinkering, and experimentation by discovering unique ways to repurpose materials. They welcome our community to learn about reuse in a fun and playful environment.
3. Economic Benefits: Creative Reuse Centers create green-collar jobs, volunteer opportunities, and grassroots economic development. They also provide educators, artists, and the general public with affordable, gently used materials and supplies.
This collective aims to foster community amongst creative reuse centers, empower growth within the industry, inspire sustainable art practices through education and collaboration, and strengthen accessibility to the arts for all.
Attendees at the Creative Reuse Summit included representatives from:
· Creative Sanctum-Concord, NC
· Dabble Creative Reuse Center - Manassas, Va.
· Reconsidered Goods - Greensboro, N.C.
· ReCraft Creative Reuse - Greenville, S.C.
· Scrap Exchange - Durham, N.C.
· Scrap RVA - Richmond, Va.
· Scrap - Spartanburg, S.C.
· Scraplanta - Atlanta, Ga.
· Sunshine Creative Reuse - Brevard, N.C.
· The Art SHAC - Winston-Salem, N.C.
· The Crafty Crab - Wilmington, N.C.
· The Scrappy Elephant - Charlottesville, Va.
· Upcycle Arts - Charlotte, N.C.
· Valley Creative Reuse - Harrisonburg, Va.
· 923 Fabrics & Crafts, Monroe, NC
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Reconsidered Goods imagines a world where nothing is used once nor thrown away but instead reused again and again.
The retail store is located at 4118 Spring Garden Street. Greensboro. 27407. For more information, visit https://reconsideredgoods.org/.
More information about Reconsidered Goods can be found at www.reconsideredgoods.org.
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