Driftwood inspires art. It’s soft edges and fascinating shapes carved by the sea have been the starting point of many a coffee table, frame or even totem pole. If you live by the sea (or at least within reach of… Read More »Make: driftwood aeroplanes
After almost a year in South Africa, I thought that it was about time that I shared some African recycling experiences with EcoStreet readers. Not all of these recycled objects are from South Africa, some are from West and East Africa too, but they all have the flavour of the African bricoleur (one of my favourite words since discovering the wonderful Italian artist-housewife-blogger Cynthia Korzekwa who introduced me to it). “…bricolage is a technique where works are constructed from various materials available or on hand…” (from Wikipedia) Those that practice bricolage are bricoleurs. Africans are some of the best bricoleurs I’ve encountered.
1. The plastic bag football
“Where the world sees trash, Africa recycles. Found all over Africa, these are the balls that children create out of old trash to play soccer.” – White African
2. The drink can 2CV
“Need a new car? African recycling craftwork.” – Gertrud K.
3. The Coke Scooter
“African recycling craftwork – Karneval der Kulturen 2006, Berlin Straßenfest” – Gertrud K.
4. Old gear dumbells
“Old gears make great weights. From Ashifi in Ghana.” – White African
Read More »13 distinctly African recycled objects
No need to buy wrapping paper. Just wrap up your presents with what you have lying around at home, and make the gift into an adventure. Surprise balls can be made with scraps of fabric, yarn, lace, bias-binding, rick-rack, whatever… Read More »Green wrapping idea: Surprise balls
What happens to all those bottle caps that you remove from bottles before you recycle them? They end up in the bin, and make their way into landfills across the country. Here’s a project that will make them into something… Read More »Eco-DIY: make a bottle-cap lampshade
If you happen to be in the vicinity of Totnes in Devon on Saturday the 20th September or the 11th October, why not try your hand at making your own eco-friendly shoes. Green Shoes is holding a fun one day… Read More »Make your own eco-friendly shoes
Tetrapak containers have been the bane of recyclers lives for quite some time. It’s only recently that we’re once again able to recycle them in the UK, and many supermarket car parks now play host to Tetrapak banks where you… Read More »Eco-DIY: Tetrapak coin purse
An old tractor tyre makes a fantastic sandpit for the younger set, and is a super easy recycling project. Old tractor tyres are easier to come by than you may think. I got hold of this one by putting a… Read More »Eco-DIY: Recycle a tractor tyre into a child’s sandpit
Last summer I took my family on holiday to Wales and Cornwall and experienced the joys of the solar shower both at the Green Man Festival in the Brecon Beacons, and at Keveral Farm in the West Country. So I… Read More »Alfresco ablutions, warmed by the sun
When you’ve finished reading your favourite magazines, perhaps you put them into your paper recycling, or maybe they just stack up somewhere collecting dust? Here’s a terrific idea from esprit cabane to turn old magazines into a beautiful, functional and… Read More »Eco-DIY: turn an old magazine into a cool coiled paper basket