About Us
We live in challenging times. Waste from mass consumption has led to pollution and climate change that is threatening human survival and our planet's existence. While recognition and awareness is important, direct action is by far most effective. And unfortunately, traditional recycling has not been enough.
The solution is simple and it’s "nothing new"... REUSE! Reuse offers a more sustainable solution that everyone can be a part of.
We are an edutainment company focused on reuse solutions for the worldwide waste problem. We strive to encourage a shift in thinking about our daily needs and wants. By connecting people with reuse solutions, we help people prevent wasted resources, opportunities, time, and money.
Our events, media, and online resources provide an entertaining and interactive way of showcasing the benefits of reusing when it comes to our worldwide waste problem and healing our planet.
Who We Work With
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Educational Institutions (Public & Private K-12, Colleges)
i.e. Rye Country Day School, Governor's Academy, M.I.T.
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Businesses
i.e. Converse, Inclusion Records, Sanctuary Bistro
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Cities/Towns
i.e. Arlington, MA, Dayton, OH , Greensboro, NC
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Event Planners
i.e. Ampersand Creative Co, United Tiny House Association
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Individuals
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Non Profit Organizations
i.e. Habitat for Humanity, Song of the Robin Animal Sanctuary, Reuse MN
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Sports Teams
Meet The Founder
Alex Eaves, the Founder and Director of Escape the Waste, has been successfully helping people combat the worldwide waste problem for over two decades by connecting them with reuse solutions.
In 2003, Alex created the skateboard and apparel brand, STAY VOCAL, and reuse themed products were used as a promotional tool. In 2008, Alex won a national "Best Small Business Idea" Award when he switched the brand to an entirely reuse apparel brand. That same year, Alex began leading a passionate reuse lifestyle. In 2014, Alex became a certified Master Reuser by the Reuse Institute. He's also the director of two award winning documentaries: REUSE! Because You Can't Recycle The Planet. (2015) and The Box Truck Film: Building A Reuseful Home (2022).
Alex' edutainment company, Escape the Waste, provides a fun and interactive way to educate people of all ages about the importance of reusing when it comes to helping our shared planet and preventing wasted personal resources, opportunities, time, and money.
The Team
Sometimes I get asked questions like, "Did you build the box truck? Did you make the movie? Do you make the shirts?" Well, I certainly have my hands in these things, but there are so many more additional hands involved. It's all about the handshakes and working together.
Over the years, I've worked with many different people on many different projects for my work with reuse. Some come in for short term projects, but some have become regular collaborators. Most of the current Escape The Waste team has been on the roster for many years; primarily based in the Northeast U.S. This is why my original plan to live in California just wouldn't work. There's nothing like meeting up with people in real life over coffee.
Whether we're designing, building, vending, or just sharing ideas, these like-minded humans deeply support the reuse movement and making a positive impact on the place we all call home. I feel fortunate to call them my team of collaborators. So, let me introduce you. - Alex
Brad Bianchi
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania brought a lot of people into my life when I was working in the music industry in the early 2000s. But it also brought artist Brad Bianchi who I met in 2015. I had seen his work online and we instantly bonded over a similar passion for reuse in his sculptures and furniture. But I was especially drawn to his “Bradlines” series, where he incorporates words and images into a series of doodles.
When I think of new STAY VOCAL designs, Brad always comes to mind. He has an incredible knack of blending fun and compassion. He's always up for a unique challenge too. He's been behind many of the brand's shirts over the years; most recently the REUSE! Map. - Alex
Carly Carte
I first heard about Carly in 2020. Her mom was a local Massachusetts customer of STAY VOCAL and she told me that her daughter in high school was a talented seamstress and had started making her own clothes at a young age. But once I saw some of her work, I realized that "talented" was not a strong enough word.
I started having Carly create shirts for STAY VOCAL almost immediately after meeting her. She exhudes positivity and creativity. In addition to a lot of basic sewing projects, she has come up with a lot of unique creations. I’ll give her an idea and she makes it 10 times better than what I envisioned. It’s been exciting to see her work grow and now having graduated college, she’s doing even more to put a positive stamp on the planet. While Carly is now not local, she's a creative force whenever she comes around. - Alex
Derek "Deek" Diedricksen
Ah yes. Here' s the best example of the Universe putting people into your life at the right time. I met Deek at a farmer's market in Massachusetts in 2014 when he bought one of my STAY VOCAL shirts. We quickly realized that we had a lot more in common than a passion for reuse. For example, we graduated from Northeastern University in the same year and worked for similar music artists around Boston at the same time. There are a lot more similarities, but you’ll have to meet us in person to hear them.
When I first met Deek, I couldn't have imagined all of the work we’d do from building The REUSE! Box Truck to designing T-Shirts to house clean outs to leading talks for people around the country. His creativity and whimsy is off the rails and his skillset seems to be endless. Did I mention that he’s the singer of a metal band? While I have seen him lying down before, I don’t know if he sleeps. I think he’s just quietly designing another tree house.
Since we met, it’s been a pretty consistent, caffeine-fueled friendship and collaborationship. And to this day, the biggest argument that we've had was if I could paint one of the legs for the desk in the box truck. - Alex
Andrew Eaves
For years, I’ve been describing my brother and I as“I’m the T-Shirt and jeans and he's the suit and tie.” While we’re very different, we have so much in common and so many similar interests. And since I first came up with the idea for STAY VOCAL 20+ years ago, he has been of the strongest and active supporters. And that magnified when I decided to focus on reuse in 2008.
Our shared interest in reuse is surely because we grew up in the same house filled with endless reuse projects. Andrew is actually the Connecticut feature in the REUSE! Documentary. He repurposes furniture and accessories, giving them new life with comic book themed colors and decoupaged comics.
Andrew is definitely behind the scenes when it comes to my work, but over the past 23 years, he has had to listen to the most ridiculous ideas and he has been one of my greatest support lines. It’s amazing that he didn’t set up a 1-800 number for me to call and ask for assistance. - Alex
Joan Eaves
Well, my work obviously wouldn’t exist without my mom. Because I wouldn't exist. But like she is with all of her 5 kids and her 13 grandkids, she has always been super supportive of my work.
When I moved my STAY VOCAL operations from Pittsburgh to Massachusetts, my mom took over for mailorder. I even made her a mailordermom@ email address. She also got behind the sewing machine to make the majority of sewn shirts prior to 2020 when Carly Carte took over.
My mom did briefly come out of "sewing retirement," though. Carly was away and I needed some specific things real fast. She even made some small tote bags like she did in the 1980s. My mom is also gracious enough to have the STAY VOCAL warehouse on her property. - Alex
Jess Georges
When a friend of mine told me that someone nearby on Cape Cod had a mobile refillery inside an old mini-school bus, I knew that we had to meet. And since first meeting Jess Georges in 2019, we've not only become good friends, but regular collaborators as well.
When it comes to reuse, Jess is someone who truly gets it. It comes through in her lifestyle and certainly in her work with The Green Road Refill. She and I have teamed up on multiple merch items and done a lot of events together over the years. And as she sees herself as an edutainer as well, Jess has been a great person to have work at various events for Escape The Waste and STAY VOCAL. - Alex
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Goodwin Graphics
Back when I ran a street promotions company for bands during the late 90s, I needed to get some merchandise made. A skateboarding friend was working at a printing shop, so I went there. Never did I expect that we’d be here 28 years later and Goodwin Graphics would still be printing for me.
When I first started printing on pre-owned garments in the mid 2000s, I was living in Pittsburgh and my local printers weren't open to the idea. But when I moved back to Massachusetts, I went back to Goodwin and they took it on.
While they always joke about the various things I print on, Ron Goodwin and his team have been extremely supportive of my work with STAY VOCAL and reuse. I can’t tell you how many customers Ron has told my reuse story to when I've been at the office. And when my dad passed away and I wanted to make patches from his uniforms, Ron (who knew my dad) created the design himself. I'll have to think of a 30th anniversary design for 2028. - Alex
Amy Henion
Amy Henion has been a vocal proponent of the tiny house movement and small living lifestyle for over a decade. She even led a TedX talk about it. And it's because of our shared enthusiasm for these lifestyles that we met at an event with The REUSE! Box Truck near Charlotte, North Carolina.
A few years later, Amy moved to Providence and now lives in one of the micro-loft apartments in the oldest active indoor shopping mall in the U.S. (The opening scene for The Box Truck Film was filmed at this mall.) Soon after her move, Amy started helping out at the many events I've done with STAY VOCAL in Providence over the years. She also helps out at area appearances of The REUSE! Box Truck Tiny House, giving tours and sharing her passion for tiny houses and low-impact living. Amy is a perfect fill-in for me and Deek. Maybe it's because she went to Northeastern too? - Alex
Cheryl Jones
For years, I put off the idea of a business coach or life coach, as it was too pricey. But after first connecting with Cheryl a couple of years ago, I quickly realized why people did this. Cheryl is the epitome of the quote that I say all the time now. “Some things aren't expensive. They're investments.”
Behind the scenes, Cheryl's coaching has surely been a positive force in helping me restructure my work and my life; since they're constantly intertwined. She has certainly helped me reign in my seemingly endless amount of ADHD-fueled ideas. And it’s fun knowing that she's the only one who knows what’s coming down the pipe. - Alex
J Kimball
Ah yes, finding silver linings... In 2014, I was working on my first documentary and was unexpectedly without an editor. I didn’t have time to freak out, though, so I got right to my network of people. Fortunately, one of the videographers from the film went to Bridgewater State University, where he knew of another talented video creator who had just graduated.
I completely lucked out. Not only did J make my first film a reality, but it was also way better than I could have imagined. And then a few years later, J was the main force behind The Box Truck Film project. J has made a bunch of small videos for me over the years as well, which are certainly their speciality. I can't suggest any more movies! J has certainly helped challenge me with both work and life in general and for that I am so grateful. - Alex