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You Can't Have a Clean, Safe Ocean Without Less Waste and More Reuse I first met Nancy Downes at Green Road Refill , the eco-refill shop on Cape Cod that I do a lot of work with. With a strangely similar background in living in California and working in the music industry leading to actively trying to make the world a better place, we became fast friends and cohorts. Since then, we've teamed up on a few events, including a virtual coffee chat where I didn't have any coffee to drink! Nancy's work is focused on the ocean, but if there's one thing that has become glaringly obvious around the world, you can't have a clean, safe ocean without less waste and more reuse. 1. So, you work for Oceana, one of the leading Ocean conservation nonprofits. What is the organization all about and what does your role entail? Thanks so much for your interest in Oceana ! Oceana is the largest international advocacy organization dedicated solely to ocean conservation. The organization campaigns in nine coastal countries and the European Union for science-based policies that stop overfishing, protect habitat, increase transparency, protect our climate, curb plastic pollution, and increase biodiversity. As Field Campaigns Manager in Massachusetts, my work is focused on passing strong (local, state, federal) policies to reduce the production and use of single-use plastics, stop any new offshore oil drilling leases, and reducing threats to the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale, including entanglement in fishing gear and collisions with boats. 2. You clearly have a passion for our oceans, as you're an avid surfer too. What drew you to the ocean? My love of the ocean goes back to childhood summers enjoying the beaches of Cape Cod with my family. Long walks along the beaches of Harwich Port with my Mom, bodysurfing the waves of Nauset beach with my Dad, and in my late teen years attending summer camp in Ocean Park, Maine. During a family trip to Hawaii in the early 90’s I signed up for my first surfing lesson at Lahaina Harbor in Maui, and was immediately hooked, and have been surfing ever since. 3. In the surfing world, how much does reuse come into play? The surfing industry could do a lot more to prioritize reuse. Most surfboards are made from (polyurethane) foam, fiberglass cloth and resin with a surprising amount of waste generated in the production process (offcuts of fiberglass, excess tape and resin, stir sticks, foam dust, etc.) Wetsuits are primarily made of neoprene, a synthetic rubber. There are a handful of thought-leaders in the surfing industry leading the way to research and develop more environmental and sustainable / zero-waste solutions. This includes recycling EPS (expanded polystyrene) foam blanks and running excess plastic waste through high density plastic shredders to be recycled back into the board manufacturing process. Some wetsuit manufacturers are exploring petroleum-free rubber alternatives (natural rubber and limestone neoprene) and repurposing recycled PET plastics into the inner linings of wetsuits, as some examples of reuse. 4. So, while I'm certainly a solutions guy, we do have to address the problems. Where do you see the most waste in your daily life? Hands down, the most waste I see in my day-to-day life is in excess plastic packaging. From food items commonly purchased at the grocery store, to the ways items are packaged and shipped from online retailers, we tend to over-package just about everything. There are certain fruits and vegetables that come with their own natural wrapping (bananas, oranges) yet we often see these items individually wrapped or bundled in plastic bags. Online retailers will sell items wrapped in plastic, sometimes double wrapped, then surrounded by excessive plastic peanuts or air bags, often bundled in another shipping (“jiffy”) bag or oversized box that does not get reused or recycled. 5. In your personal experience, how do you think recycling has worked and NOT worked as a solution to waste? Recycling does not appear to be working, according to most studies around the world. As plastic pollution became a more noticeable problem in the late 70’s into the 1980’s (my teen years), recycling was sold to us as a solution by the plastics industry (we all remember the crying native American Indian commercial – paid for by Keep America Beautiful, founded and funded by Coca-Cola and PepsiCo), putting the responsibility of cleaning up plastic waste back on to the consumer vs. the producers. 6. How do you think the U.S. could step up the solutions to our waste problem? Have you seen or heard of anything anywhere else? The US / Federal Government needs to pass strong policies that would significantly reduce the production and use of single-use plastics. Some countries have successfully passed strong policies regulating plastic packaging & plastic bags, and have significantly reduced plastic pollution (Ex: Rwanda, Kenya, Iceland, Sweden). Not surprisingly, island nations with limited resources and limited space for landfills and-or limited funds for waste management infrastructure tend to lead the way. 7. It's funny. I always tell people that reusing is nothing new. It’s been going on long before we were here. Do you have any memories of your parents or grandparents reusing in unique ways? My grandparents had a house in Shrewsbury, MA and I have vivid memories as a child of the milk man delivering milk in glass bottles to the back door. My grandmother would scoop the thick cream off the top of the bottles to make butter, and used bottles would be put back in the metal crate outside for the milk man to take back for refilling. My grandfather took old canning jars and screwed the cap of the jars to the wooden rafters in the basement, and he would fill the glass jars with used nails, screws, nuts, bolts and other mechanical fasteners and hardware to be reused around the house on future projects. We also had a monthly delivery of potato chips from Charles Chips, which came in a metal tin, and we would return the old tin upon receiving the next delivery. 8. Do you have any notable stories about saving money on something because you bought it used instead of new? I wish I had a calculator that could tell me the total amount of money saved by buying used items vs. new… it would probably be a LOT of money saved! I’ll share a more recent proud moment, where I purchased a used painting from a local thrift store for $10 and repainted the canvas to make my very own Jackson Pollock knock-off of “Summertime 9A” for my mid-century modern living room. 9. Have you ever taken anything out of the recycling bin or trash to reuse somehow or maybe found something on the side of the road? Absolutely! I have no problem with dumpster-diving to save a perfectly good item from ending up in the landfill. My neighbors constantly throw away brand-new cardboard boxes that I reuse for storage or shipping items, and garden or patio items that I have repurposed in my own garden. Numerous furniture items in my home come from Facebook marketplace, yard sales, or thrift stores. 10. And lastly, what’s the best thing that you ever got used and why? Got a photo? The BEST thing, by far, is “Big Blue”, my 9’8” Dive ‘n Surf longboard that I bought used from a former boss when I worked at Surfrider Foundation . I think I paid $80 for that surfboard and have created over a decade of amazing surfing memories on that board. I also have a few cherished pieces of jewelry handed down from my mother and grandmother… and of course, a STAY VOCAL T-Shirt from you! 😊 To learn more about Nancy, Oceana, and see more surfing photos of her, head over to Nancy's Instagram here. To order the "713" T-Shirt that Nancy is wearing in her profile photo, head over to the STAY VOCAL Shop .

As many people have been talking about their kids going back to school, it got me thinking about all of the new stuff people buy. I looked up some recent info and according to the National Retail Federation and Prosper Insights & Analytics' annual survey , families with children in elementary through high school plan to spend an average of $874.68 on clothing, shoes, electronics and school supplies. For most families, that's A LOT of money. But it doesn't have to be nearly that much. And as someone who hasn't bought "new" clothes, shoes, or electronics in over 16 years, I know there are a lot of options out there. But hey, I vividly remember the fun of Back to School shopping. I'd go with my mom to places like Marshalls, Caldor and Hardcorps Surf & Skate. It was exciting to have something new and different. But "new" doesn't have to mean "brand new." There are plenty of things out there that can be new to a person, but they don't have to be new to the planet. And those things can bring you the same good feelings, and they can surely save you money as you will see below. Also, yes, I'm aware that school starts real soon for most and I know some people have started already. But I also remember waiting until the last minute to buy school supplies because of camps, vacations, etc. Alright. I hope you enjoy the list. And let me know in the comments if you end up choosing any of these solutions and the benefits you got. Cheers! KEY FOR BELOW (👤) Benefits the People - can still fit your interests and tastes, custom, personalized, fun (🌎) Benfits the Planet - save resources, keep items out of the landfill (💰) Benefits the Wallet - save money 1. Backpacks  (🌎 💰) - Now, this is probably the thing that most kids would be OK with using from last year, which is obviously the best way to reuse. But there are plenty of other options. Here are over 230,000 pre-owned backpack options on eBay alone. On the higher end of things, Alchemy Goods is a company that I had a booth next to once. They make great bags out of advertising banners and bike tires! And be sure to check your local thrift store. They always have some. 2. Books (🌎 💰) - Books are less common now than when I was in school, but they're always going to play some role in education, especially for college students. And books are a huge problem, as many people buy them brand new only to read once and many thrift stores don't even take them. Used books are almost always a fraction of the cost too. Half Price Books is a great resource to find books online and at one of their many brick and morter stores. Other places to look online are eBay and ThriftBooks . There are plenty of local used book stores out there too, so be sure to check your area. 3. Book Covers  (👤 🌎 💰) - It's funny. I didn't think book covers were still a thing with so much on computers, but then I talked to my friend Rachael with 3 sons and she let me know it's definitely a thing. She sent me this great video tutorial to make them out of paper bags, just like I did as a kid. And the great thing with that is you can decorate them however you want. Instead of looking at a boring text book image, you kid can see their artwork, favorite athletes or musicians. Now, if you're like me and don't ever get paper bags, you probably know someone with a collection in their house or could even get some at the recycling center. Thanks to Welcome To Nanas for letting us use her video. Check out her site for more kids crafts and reuse projects. You'll find her at https://WelcomeToNanas.com . 4. Bookmarks (👤 🌎 💰) - This is one of those things that I can't understand ever spending any money on. But I know it's nice to have something that fits your interest or style. Start by looking around your house or room. You could use anything from a birthday card to a trading card. If you want a custom one, you can decorate a piece of scrap card stock and attach a string. Just type "upcycled bookmark ideas" into an image search and you're bound to find something that strikes a chord. 5. Clothing (👤 🌎 💰) - This one is probably the most obvious and fortunately, most practiced these days. Buying used clothing for kids, especially as they are younger and grow so fast, just makes a whole lot of sense. And there are endless ways to find the clothes they want; whether it's hand me downs from friends and family, thrift stores , or online outlets . With my apparel brand STAY VOCAL, I offer an entire line of 1 of a Kind Reuse T-Shirts , so kids could go to school with a shirt that nobody else in the world has. 6. Ear Pods / Headphones   (👤 🌎 💰) - This may sound a little gross at first, but there are always disinfectants and you can find many options that are certified refurbished with warranties. These are certainly harder to find in the wild at thrift stores, but here are over 1,000 options on eBay. 7. Laptops (🌎 💰) - You can save hundreds of dollars buying a pre-owned laptop. And just like with the headphones, you can find a ton that are certified refurbished with warranties. Here's a list of over 3500 certified refurbished laptops on eBay . In many cases, you'll also be supporting a small USA based business, who focuses on repair and helps keeps things out of our landfill. Apple also has an entire section of certfieid refurbished laptops and other electronics . 8. Lunch bags (👤 🌎 💰) - Fortunately, bringing a reusable lunch container is popular again, but you don't have to spend a lot of money on a brand new one. Here's over 6000 pre-owned lunch bag options on eBay alone. And if you have a kid who is really into vintage 80s or 90s things, you could always opt for a vintage lunchbox. Here's over 15,000 options for that! 9. Notebooks, Sketch Pads. etc. (👤 🌎) - Notebooks are one of those things that understandably you might not want to buy used, but first I would recommend checking to see what you have leftover from last year. It's amazing how many half used notebooks I found while sorting out some school things a few years ago. If money is less of an issue here and you want something with more style, you can find some totally unique upcycled notebooks made from book covers, game boards, videtape boxes and more on etsy . 10. Pencil Cases (👤 🌎 💰) - The most inexpensive and personalized option here would be to find a durable box or container around the house and decorate it with stickers, drawings, words, etc. But if there is something specific in mind, you don't have to spend a lot of money on a brand new one. Here's around 5000 pre-owned pencil case options on eBay  alone. And if you're really feeling crafty, below is a tutorial on making an awesome looking case out of scrap cardboard. 11. Sneakers (👤 🌎 💰) - Ah yes... sneakers. It's been a thing and continues to be a thing. But like with clothing, people's tastes for sneakers come and go. There are some great online resources for sneakers these days like Grailed and Poshmark . And here are over 2 million pre-owned sneaker options on eBay . Yes... 2 million. And be sure to check your local thrift store. I've found so many great pairs of sneakers for under $10 at thrift stores over the years and sometimes they don't even look worn. 12. Writing Utensils (🌎 💰) - Before you go and buy a bunch of writing utensils, be sure to check around the house. This is how people end up with clogged junk drawers in desks and kitchens. And if you're lucky enough to have a creative reuse store in your area, they surely have some things for you and super cheap. I got a bunch of like-new sharpies at one recently for 25 cents each.

How the Freedom and Fun of Skateboarding Planted a Mental Seed Nick Zaremba grew up in the town next to my hometown and through our mutual friend Tom, we became friends who bonded over skateboarding and music. And like Tom, Nick also ended up working at Goodwin Graphics, the screen printing shop that has been printing my shirts since 1998. After college, we ventured off in separate ways, but with both of us finding the value and fun in reusing, we reconnected in the late 2000s. We ended up collaborating on the STAY VOCAL "Castle Guard" T-Shirt, for anyone who remembers that. I was honored, as Nick has collaborated with the likes of Converse, Pepsi, and Vans! I've always admired his work and the smiles they bring to so many faces; certainly including my own. And after this interview, I realized we had a more similar back story and appreciation for reuse than I thought. 1. Over the years, you have dabbled in so many mediums, but one thing that has always been evident to me is fun. Why is that a core component of your art? Fun, whimsy, playfulness, connection, sweetness - these are all words viewers describe my art's vibe as for which I reply - exactly. It is a component of my art because my art is how I process my feelings and what bubbles to the top is the pureness of my essence. I want to look at things that are sweet and feel playful and make me, as the maker, smile. If others can see that come through then I'm happy to hear it. We have enough non-happy/fun/sweet things adnoseum saturating our psyches everyday and everywhere we look and I don't want to focus on that at all.  2. Like me, you grew up in the skateboard scene on the South Shore in Massachusetts. How do you think our small group (and skateboarding in general) inspired you? Now at 44 years old and as a father as well, I find myself really reflecting on the past chapters of my life and what ingredients really stand out. Skateboarding is one such ingredient. I skated from about 9 to 21. At 21, I severely broke my right leg and had to have pins and plates in for me to resume walking. It took months and months of healing and physical therapy and quickly realized at 22 I couldn't even roll anymore because the vibrations and lack of fluidity in my lower leg joints were immediately triggered. So all that being said, skateboarding was freedom, no phone, no wallet, no keys clogging up my pockets. My shoes, tee, jeans, and board was all I needed to just be away, mentally and physically. I learned my basic trick portfolio and after that just approached it in a jazzy free form way.  I loved it. My friends who I skated with are still my friends today and I am grateful for that. A lot of my personal ethos came from the culture of it as well. It was intertwined with my music and subsequent discovery of new types of it. As an artist, it also taught me a new visual perspective on texture, detail, field of vision as well as the obvious sticker, board, print ad, and video properties of it. 3. Some of your pieces are made on found materials. What's your favorite used item to find and incorporate into art? Honestly, my main ingredient is paint. I would say about 95% of the paint I have ever used, since I was in my teens and still to this day is "oops paint": mistake paints from the paint department of any place that sells paint. It is mistake paint that the customers did not like so they returned it due to the color being off and then the store puts it out on a rack for a super, super low price. Every store that sells paint that I go into - I go straight to this section. The colors are always very interesting and I always score! The best part of this is that it's all by chance and since chance is random, I really love the base line of that to them be mixed up with intuition and spontaneity to create works. 4. So, while I'm certainly a solutions guy, we do have to address the problems. Where do you see the most waste in your daily life? The most waste I see would have to be from the food industry. The food packaging even for take out food is ridiculous. The amount of napkins given out for a donut is ridiculous, for example, a sheet, bag, and 5 napkins. Of course there is also single use plastic water bottles is up there as well. Also one thing that really bothers me, is the use of styrofoam, how is this still being produced? 5. In your personal experience, how do you think recycling has worked and NOT worked as a solution to waste? I am still concerned about the topic of recycling; sometimes skeptical. I say this because my trash pick up shows up with one truck and you separate out your garbage from recyclables and put them in separate containers. I watch them pick it up and both bags get thrown in the same truck and squished together. How is it that recycling takes place? I asked the guy once and he told me they separate it all at the plant. Well, I know business and there is no way they employ people just to separate it out. The man hours to do that would be way too much. Also, when I lived in NYC, I noticed one time, trash bins in public that had two holes in the top -one for recycling and one for garbage- and they both led to the same hole underneath? 6. How do you think the U.S. could step up the solutions to our waste problem? Have you seen or heard of anything anywhere else? I was reading recently that scientists discovered some sort of insects that feed and eat on plastics and this seemed like the future to me. I do think that incentivizing recycling is key to help. Where I live, alcohol nips are a huge source of refuse everywhere in nature. I saw recently that package stores were now offering incentives if you bring in found nips to recycle which I thought was a really great idea. 7. It's funny. I always tell people that reusing is nothing new. It’s been going on long before we were here. Do you have any memories of your parents or grandparents reusing in unique ways? Funny you bring this up. When I lived in the city when I was younger, my mother started a city wide recycling program at the local transfer station. It was highly successful and she was even given recognition by the mayor at the time. I remember going with her and helping people transfer their recyclables to certain bins, etc, on my days off helping her. I also remember doing initiatives similarly when I was in Boy Scouts. 8. Do you have any notable stories about saving money on something because you bought it used instead of new?  Yes, I do. One of my best buys was the time I bought my best skateboard off an older skater in my school at the time. I didn't have much money and his board was just very scratched up. He offered it to me for a low price and when I bought it I was so happy. That board is the one I learned the most tricks on at the time and lasted a while. 9. Have you ever taken anything out of the recycling bin or trash to reuse somehow or maybe found something on the side of the road? In my own house, when I have plastic waste, it barely ever reaches my bin because I always come up with a way to reuse plastics. They are reused as paint trays and paint holders. Also, I am the green thumb and plant daddy of my house, so a lot of seed starters are made from small containers and such. My wife and I are big thrifters and so we are always buying up old cotton wares people discard due to stains and such and she upcycles them for her natural dye clothing company NortheastDyeworks.com . 10. And lastly, what’s the best thing that you ever got used why? Got a photo? Oh man, this is a really tough one to answer as a person who has always hunted at flea markets and thrift stores throughout my life. I have so many great valued items in my possession that are treasured but are totally used. I guess maybe my first used car. It was from a neighbor up the street when I was 16. It was such a big deal to me and the owners really made me feel good about it going to me after all they used it for and after they treated it so well in their possession. That car got me very far in life at the time, from finishing high school to commuting to college to being my refuge when I was feeling low to enjoying trips with friends. I miss that car! To learn more about Nick, his art, and maybe even hire him for a custom mural, head over to the World of Nick Zaremba here. To order a One of a Kind REUSE! T-Shirts like Nick is wearing in his profile photo, head over to the STAY VOCAL One of a Kind Gallery .

Providing a Community Hub for Creativity, Education, and Sustainability Coincidentally enough, this week marks 10 years since I first met Jennifer O'Brien in Austin, Texas at ReuseConex, the International Reuse Conference & Expo. Four years later, we sat a table together at the conference in Cincinnati, Ohio. And it was there that I witnessed first-hand her enthusiasm for creative reuse. During talks, she and her colleague crafted a collection of bracelets made with scrap T-Shirts. (I still have my navy and orange one in the box truck.) That was unfortunately the last ReuseConex conference, but our connecting continued, as our passions for reuse education are very much aligned. Our first collaboration in 2020 was a Florida themed REUSE! T-Shirt that has since been printed multiple times. And I'm excited to say that she will be hosting a screening and Q&A of The Box Truck Film in early 2025. So, let's learn what Jennifer and her creative reuse center are all about. 1. So, you're the executive director of a non-profit creative reuse center called Resource Depot. For those who have not experienced such a unique place, tell us about it. Resource Depot is an incredible hub for creativity and sustainability right here in West Palm Beach. We take materials that would otherwise be thrown away and give them a new life by providing them to artists, educators, and the community at large. It's a place where imagination runs wild, and everyone is encouraged to think differently about waste and resources. Whether you’re looking for art supplies, teaching materials, or just a little inspiration, you’ll find it here. 2. What kind of people visit Resource Depot? We see a wonderful mix of people at Resource Depot. Artists, teachers, parents, students, and eco-conscious community members all come through our doors. Each person brings their unique perspective and creativity, making our community vibrant and diverse. It’s always exciting to see what people create with the materials they find here. 3. Which benefits of reuse do you think your customers enjoy the most? Our customers love the sense of discovery and the satisfaction that comes from giving new life to old materials. There’s something very rewarding about finding a unique item and transforming it into something beautiful or useful. Plus, they appreciate the environmental impact—knowing they’re helping to reduce waste and conserve resources. They love our programming too – nowhere else is presenting such creative ways to reuse in arts and education and we show it’s not only necessary – it’s possible for all! 4. So, while I'm certainly a solutions guy, we do have to address the problems. Where do you see the most waste in your daily life? Food packaging waste is a big one. Every day, I see so much single-use plastic and unnecessary packaging that could easily be avoided. As a consumer, I often feel like I don't have an option, especially at the grocery store. It's frustrating because there are simple alternatives that could make a huge difference if more people embraced them. For example, the food I’m buying wasn’t grown needing that wrapper or cellophane—like our Florida oranges packaged on a Styrofoam tray wrapped in cellophane! It’s absurd and completely avoidable. 5. In your personal experience, how do you think recycling has worked and NOT worked as a solution to waste? Recycling is great in theory, but in practice, it has its limitations. It's important, but it’s not the whole solution. For one, not everything can be recycled, and even recyclable items often don’t end up being recycled properly. Contamination is a big issue. We need more focus on reducing and reusing first, and then recycling as a last step. I also believe that recycling is still using to toss…the bins just are a little different. We should be focusing on reducing our waste not just feeling we are doing our part by over-consuming certain items simply because they are recyclable or have been made from recycled materials. 6. How do you think the U.S. could step up the solutions to our waste problem? Have you seen or heard of anything anywhere else? We need stronger policies and incentives for reducing waste and promoting reuse from the manufacturers. When there is accountability and responsibility, I believe we will see some impactful changes. Education is also key - people need to understand the impact of their choices and how they can make a positive change. I was recently in Iceland and was amazed by how the typical single-use plastic products us Americans are accustomed to were just not present. In fact, if you wanted to take food to go, you had to purchase the to go container as well! I feel that if people would have to recognize and absorb the cost – both monetary and environmental – at the register, there would be a positive shift away from such unnecessary wasteful “convenience” and we would find out that the alternatives are not that inconvenient at all – especially in the long run when it comes to the health of our planet. 7. It's funny. I always tell people that reusing is nothing new. It’s been going on long before we were here. Do you have any memories of your parents or grandparents reusing in unique ways? Absolutely! My grandmother was the queen of reuse. She would save every scrap of fabric, every button, and every glass jar. She made beautiful quilts from old clothes and used jars for canning and storage. It’s amazing how resourceful previous generations were, and we can definitely learn from them. My parents also instilled this same resourcefulness in me as a child. Reusing and repurposing - or making from scraps was not unusual. Hand-me-downs were common. The dishes I would eat on as a child were passed down in the family. In fact, I’m sure my parents still have that plastic Pizza Hut drink pitcher I won in 3rd grade from reading so many books in the Book It! Program (if you know, you know). 8. Do you have any notable stories about saving money on something because you bought it used instead of new? Oh, definitely. I have only ever had used cars – and I have to say that has saved me a whole lot of money over the years. Buying a new car means paying a premium for the latest model, but a used car that's been well-maintained can be just as reliable and cost a fraction of the price. One more example is my wardrobe. I enjoy fashion but avoid the high price tags by shopping at thrift stores and consignment stores. I’ve found designer clothes and accessories for a fraction of the original price. Not only do I save money, but I also end up with unique pieces that you can’t find in regular stores. The hunt is part of the fun! I think here in South Florida, there’s a huge emphasis on the car you drive, the clothes you wear, and even the house you live in. By choosing not to measure my worth by these societal status symbols, I find more happiness with the things I have and the life I lead. It’s really about what brings me joy, not the price tag. 9. Have you ever taken anything out of the recycling bin or trash to reuse somehow or maybe found something on the side of the road? I’ve definitely rescued items from the trash! One time, I found a broken room divider screen on the curb. It was a bit battered and needed some new hardware. Plus, the fabric was hideous and not my style at all. With some cleaning, refurbishing, and a touch of paint, the frame came back to life. I found the perfect replacement fabric in the form of macrame table runners, which I attached to the frame. Now, it sits in my home office as a creative backdrop for Zoom calls, perfect for hiding my unmade bed or piles of laundry. 10. And lastly, what’s the best thing that you ever got used and why? Got a photo? The best thing I ever got used is probably an old vintage sign that reads “Antiques Made Daily” and it hands as the focal point in our living room. The patina could never be recreated with a new, “store bought” item and I love the irony of the entire piece. To learn more about Jennifer and Resource Depot, head over to the Resource Depot website here. To order a REUSE! T-Shirt like Jennifer is wearing in her profile photo, check out the STAY VOCAL REUSE! collection .

When I saw this store display of collectible toys, all I could think was, "Do we need to make collectibles for everything? Do we need every character and athlete? Do we need every version of every thing?" I went down a rabbit hole of thoughts. I think that we really need to ask ourselves, "Are we collaborating just to make more money by making more stuff? Are we making these things simply because we can?" But collaborating doesn't have to be like that. I'm a strong believer in collaborating. I do it with my brand, my website, my films, etc. It's fun. It makes promoting easier. It widens an audience or customer base. And it does help people earn a living, but the thing about collaborating is that we don't have to do it just for money. We have the power to collaborate to make a positive impact. Maybe you can collaborate with ReturnMyCup to bring more reuse into your community. Maybe you can collaborate with Habitat for Humanity to build houses with used building materials. Maybe you can collaborate with me and STAY VOCAL on a custom shirt. Maybe you can collaborate with a thrift store to make shirts for a 1-day event. Maybe you can collaborate with an artisan like Justin LaRose to make unique reclaimed wooden items from broken skateboards. There are endless options out there. I say this all the time, but we're all in the together. And the biggest collaboration of them all is collaborating for the planet. It's not all about money. That's a temporary fix. We need a long lasting fix. I read a great quote from Seth Godin this week: " Become the ancestor you’d like to thank." Maybe just having one version of something is enough. Maybe making investments into the future is better than making more things for others to deal with in the future.

8 Distracting (But Positively Impacting) Things to do on Voting Day, Instead of Hitting Refresh Put your phone away. Get a drink at a local cafe in a reusable cup and go for a walk. Walk in your neighborhood and collect trash and recyclables. Talk to a neighbor and see if there’s anything you can barter. Find something in a recycling bin to make a craft project with. Buy a used record from a local shop and listen to it. Go through your wardrobe and donate some used clothing. Buy a used movie at a thrift store and watch it.

Historic Gravestone Preservation to Keep Stories Alive A couple of months ago, I was set up at an event with my colleague Deek. I came back from walking around and he was talking to a woman. He said, "Alex, see if you can guess what this woman does for a living." After having no clues, except for an all black outfit, I guessed a couple of things, but was way off. And then she told me. This was a job that I never had thought about existing, but was completely intrigued by. And after talking with Rachel Meyer for a while, I knew that I needed to interview her for this series. 1. Your business is a completely unique one, as you are surely the first gravestone conservator that I've met, let alone heard of. For others like me out there, could you explain what you do? I am a gravestone conservator. With my business partner, Josh, I own a business that repairs historic gravestones to Historic Preservation standards. We mostly serve Eastern Massachusetts and Southern New Hampshire. We typically work on gravestones that date from the 1600s to 1900s. 2. Learning about your work, it's clearer now that this is a role that needs to exist for burial grounds everywhere. It's a great way to keep stories alive and save resources. How did you ever come to decide on this career path? Is there a specific program at a college for it? And like myself, were you into horror movies as a kid? I'm so intrigued and have so many questions! Like a lot of the best things, it happened organically. I was working in museums and was writing a novel. Part of it was set in a historic burying ground. My search for inspiration for my novel led me to a historic site that was so badly neglected that I felt called to gather volunteers to save it. We took a bunch of classes to get qualified to do the work we do. This trade can be learned apprenticeship style and I always discourage people from going into student debt. That said, I studied environmental geology and legal studies in college and it lent itself well to this work. I was into adventure as a kid. Of course I watched the Creature Double Features on TV and I found them kind of artsy visually. Mostly though, it was mystery and adventure for me. Lots of PBS and Indiana Jones. 3. I know you have worked on some really unique projects around New England. Do you have any favorite or more rewarding stories? Alongside our large projects we are hired to do, I have passion projects that I advocate endlessly for and accomplish pro bono. I call it "sending love letters into the world". When I see something in the world that would cause most to pick up a protest sign, I look for ways to use my skills and talents to show that I care. Be it "immigrant" cemeteries or segregated sections. My most rewarding pro bono project is one where I have been going around repairing the gravestones of the African American Community from the 1800s in the Salem, Massachusetts area. So much of this history has been lost and I want to do my small part to help preserve what we have before it is also lost. Gravestones are interpretive objects and just like in museums, can be used to tell stories. I like to make sure we are telling the whole story. 4. So, while I'm certainly a solutions guy, we do have to address the problems. Where do you see the most waste in your daily life? We use our materials so I wouldn't necessarily call it waste in the classic sense. As someone who is aware of her footprint, I am always weighing what is going on in the production of the materials we use though. I don't see a way around using the materials we use but there is sand and peastone for resetting fallen gravestones and mortars for repairing broken ones. I am sure the production of these things isn't neutral. My solution is that I try not to waste it. If we mix too much mortar, I make art out of it. I sculpt and create molds from my sculptures and anything extra goes into these molds. At the end of the season, I both sell and hand out what I make. I have set up a table for downtown trick or treat and have given things to trick or treaters walking by which was very popular and fun. This question reminded me that I need to resubscribe to a carbon offset. I have a question for you. What is the best way to offset your impact when it can't be avoided completely? Thanks for asking. Some things can't be avoided. For me, I just make trades in my life and look at the bigger picture. With my car, I've had to buy new tires for it over time. But, I've kept the same car on the road for 17 years. The car itself is the bigger picture. I think this is certainly a way to look at your work too. Also, here's a great place to learn more about offsets that we can purchase . 5. In your personal experience, how do you think recycling has worked and NOT worked as a solution to waste? I think that unless people really know how to recycle, so much doesn't actually get recycled. I was told of this term, "wishcycling," which I have become more aware of. It means people putting items in their recycling because they want them to be recycled, but it ultimately becomes problematic at the facility. It leads to less being recycled. Ultimately, the waste question needs to come up before you purchase things. 6. How do you think the U.S. could step up the solutions to our waste problem? Have you seen or heard of anything anywhere else? Have you ever opened a dumpster and seen all the waste in them? I know your answer is yes. Years ago, I called Elizabeth Warren's office after the holidays when I noticed the sheer amount of seasonal items going into dumpsters, especially cheap, mass produced things. When you see the level of waste at the corporate level, it is easy to become disempowered. I think the change needs to happen at a level that very few of us feel we have access to. I wish I had the solution. 7. It's funny. I always tell people that reusing is nothing new. It’s been going on long before we were here. Do you have any memories of your parents or grandparents reusing in unique ways? I grew up poor so we didn't have much to begin with. My grandparents were jazz musicians and we would all perform as a family. There were a couple songs that they would perform that really spoke to their generation's experience of things like The Great Depression, when lack was normal and you had to find other ways to be happy. My grandmother used to get dressed up in her second hand costume and sing the song, "Second Hand Rose," to an audience. I still sing it to myself sometimes. I learned when I was young that surrounding yourself with good people and doing what you love are the real riches. 8. Do you have any notable stories about saving money on something because you bought it used instead of new? I buy most things used; not everything but most things. My favorite weekend activity is going to yard sales and finding things to either reuse or make into other things. I love a thrift store, buy nothing group, and side of the road finds. I couldn't do what I do if I didn't know how to enjoy being frugal when needed. To me, knowing how to be resourceful means gaining the freedom to pursue your calling rather than pursuing the grind of consumerism. Saving in this way means being able to be generous to those whose values I align with too. I also have plenty of stories about spending money on reused items (aka antiquing.) One of my new favorite reused scores is the bracket on the new Jenny Slew Park Sign in Ipswich. I got it from our local Ipswich / Rowley Buy Nothing Group and gave it to the sign maker to use with the new sign. This saved the Historical Commission a couple hundred dollars and we had a limited budget so that is good.  It was just installed a couple days ago. 9. Have you ever taken anything out of the recycling bin or trash to reuse somehow or maybe found something on the side of the road? Yes. Our town always has free stuff on the side of the road. I love that about our culture. The New England frugality. I just picked up a box of acrylic paints I've been using and a classical CD I've been playing that I wouldn't have heard of on Spotify. 10. And lastly, what’s the best thing that you ever got used and why? Got a photo? I only buy used vehicles. I'm rather excited about the idea of my new, used van. Perfect for tools and as a mobile office. To learn more about Rachel and her work, head over to the Epoch Preservation website here. To order a One of a Kind REUSE! T-Shirt like Rachel is wearing in her profile photo, head over to the STAY VOCAL One of a Kind gallery .

I recently made the time (and had a lot of space) to organize the archives for the 20 years of STAY VOCAL . And while I started my reuse apparel brand as a skateboard company, one thing that was evident was that reuse was there since the beginning. I also realized that I had some doubles of items and I certainly don't need to hold on to everything that I have. So, I created an Archives Collection in the STAY VOCAL Shop that features Shirts, Bags, Stickers, Patches, Pins and Wall Hangings that range from 2005 through 2018. And as most of these items are from the "Pre-Reuse" era, they will not be made again. Below is a video and photo look at the archives and you'll see what I mean about reuse always being there. This is just a sampling too, as I have so many stories and could go on and on and on. Well, enjoy the archives and leave a comment if you have questions!

You can't reinvent the wheel, but you can reuse it! Today, I’m launching a new interview series. The goal is to show you how reusing is the more effective solution for our waste problem, by connecting you to people from all walks of life. The people I feature will vary, because I strongly believe that reusing is for everyone, and that we are all in this together. The short series of questions will give you a look at who that person is and learn some unique things about them. And the interviews will show people how reusing is effective, easy and fun. To kick off the series, here is my interview with Lyndsay Dean, AKA The Vegan Potter. Two summers ago, I brought The REUSE! Box Truck to Compassionfest in Hamden, Connecticut. The event organizer had told me that she put me near her friend Lyndsay because she thought we would get along because of a shared passion for bettering the planet. Well, "get along" turned out to be an understatement. Over the past couple of years, Lyndsay and I quickly become good friends and cohorts, doing numerous events around New England together. I even helped Lyndsay and her husband work on their house for a day. And recently, Lyndsay figured out a way that I could enjoy one of her handmade mugs, even though I don't buy "new" mugs. And that's one of the things you'll learn here. Enjoy! 1. In the age of mass produced, cheap kitchenware, you make some incredibly unique, durable items. How do you do this?    Every piece I make is individually hand crafted from stoneware clay. Stoneware is a fairly durable clay body when crafted with longevity in mind and handled with a bit of care it can last generations. I’ve been making pottery for nearly 3 decades and many of my early customers comment that they still use their mug or bowl or serving piece that they bought before I was in a retail space and I was making work in my parents garage back in 2000. All of my work is intended to be used everyday and become part of the home. The worst thing I could hear someone say is “I’m too afraid to use it so I have it on the shelf.” I want my work to become part of the fabric of everyday life and I think having hand crafted things enhances our lives in so many ways. Connecting us, 2. What was your inspiration to get into pottery?   I always loved 3D art and I never felt that I was good at drawing. I grew up the daughter of a fine furniture craftsman and I spent countless hours watching my Dad sketch custom furniture and then create it in his woodworking shop. I was fortunate enough to go to a really amazing high school called the Norwich Free Academy in the town where I grew up. They had a robust art program where I took everything from photography, airbrushing, and metalsmithing which I really latched onto (again because of it’s dimensionality). But when I decided to take a pottery class in my senior year, I dropped it the following week because I didn’t like “getting dirty." The instructor, who years later became a bit of a mentor to me, called my parents who were taking an evening pottery class with her and told them I dropped her class and encouraged them to get me to reconsider. Needless to say, I finally found my way to working with clay again about 4 years later in Montreal, where I went to college for English and Creative Writing. I believe strongly in “Divine Timing” or fate, or whatever you want to call it because once I took my first pottery class (I think it was around 1998), I was 100% invested before I could even figure out how to center clay! I knew I had found what I wanted to do with my life and the rest was just YEARS of practice and figuring out how to make a living at it and honestly I’m still doing both of those things! 3. I know that you've been able to involve reuse into your work in some unique ways. Can you tell me about that and how else reuse might be involved? I’ve always felt very strongly about reusing, as many things in my studio practice as possible. I ran a community pottery studio for 17 years and we went through hundreds of tons of clay in that time. Clay is a manufactured product that comes from mining materials out of the Earth, mixing them in various ways and mass producing potters clay in factories. I am driven to reuse as much clay as possible because it is not a renewable resource. From the plastic bags and elastic bands that the clay comes packaged in to the cardboard boxes right down to the clay itself, everything gets a new life in my studio, often many times over. When a pot cracks or dies in the making process, it begins the process of recycling which means I first dry it out completely in order to rehydrate it. The rehydration is done using water that I use for throwing so that is also being reused. Once the clay is a wet slurry I scoop it onto a plaster table where it sits to dry out for a few days and is then put through a machine called a pug mill that churns it into a useable material again. I can then throw or hand build with the recycled clay and I’ve done that for my entire career. It then gets stored in the reused plastic bags with reused elastic bands.    A few years ago after having a discussion with you about how I could make something that you’d be willing to use that would be entirely recycled/reused products, I began keeping a separate bucket to wash out all of my glaze brushes, containers and palettes. That bucket has become ‘mystery glaze’ and at the end of the year, I sieve it and mix and it has become part of the 100% recycled clay and glaze mug collection.   Here’s a partial list of other things I reuse in my studio: Dry Cleaner plastic: (I have people bring it to me because I don’t personally dry clean my clothes) used for covering pots after throwing them. This type of plastic is incredibly thin and flexible and makes the least amount of marks on the wet clay and for some reason provides the best “damp” environment for pots.  Paint Brushes : I’ve collected so many watercolor and acrylic paint brushes over the years mostly from folks giving them to me when they no longer paint and I use them for glazing and painting my pots.  Plastic jugs from vitamin powder to glaze containers : they get new life when I mix up new small batches of glaze or colored slip 5 gallon buckets: All of the drywall compound buckets from an initial studio build back in 2006 are still in rotation for larger batches of glaze  Glass jars from vitamins or other foods: these become storage for small tools like alphabet stamps  Old Kitchen tools: from rolling pins to cookie cutters, spatulas to whisks they ALL become part of the making process in the studio   4. So, while I'm certainly a solutions guy, we do have to address the problems. Where do you see the most waste in your daily life?   Growing up, my Dad was always a stickler about shutting off lights and turning off the water and I’ve very much become that way throughout my life. Water usage is by far the biggest waste I see on a daily basis. I’m always disgusted when I see people watering their grass and although we don’t live in an area of the country where we have water bans on a regular basis, I think the ways in which we waste water are outrageous.    Garbage collection day is always a very telling visual. Every week as I drive to work and pass each house with it’s garbage can, recycling bin and most recently compost bin on the sidewalk, it’s really alarming to consider just on one little neighborhood block the vast amount of waste that is created in just 7 days. 5. In your personal experience, how do you think recycling has worked and NOT worked as a solution to waste?   I think ‘recycling’ became the tag word to end the worlds waste problems back in the 80’s but all that did was give us a false sense of security that we were doing our parts to rectify the damage we’d done. In reality I know only a small percentage of the recycling that is actually put out on the curb actually gets recycled and the REAL issue is our consumption but ALSO companies continuing to ‘over-package’ products which just creates more waste. For instance a glass jar of vitamins might come in a small cardboard branded box, WHY do we need that extra layer of waste?    My biggest pet peeve is the organic section in the grocery store. Most often, it has small bundles of produce packaged on foam plastic trays wrapped in plastic wrap!  I cannot resist expressing my disgust to the folks who work in the produce aisle anytime I see this and I refuse to buy overpackaged products like this whenever possible. It really feels like we are moving backwards in many instances.   I also think the greenwashing comes in the form of language like when I was a kid we called it the town Dump, but now they are called "Transfer Stations." I think this type of language can be incredibly powerful in manipulating people’s minds when they picture the garbage situation in their very own town. 6. How do you think the U.S. could step up the solutions to our waste problem? Have you seen or heard of anything anywhere else?   This is the kind of question I really don’t have answers to, as I have not done the research nor do I have the knowledge of how things already work. I try to consume as little news and politics as possible because I feel it’s just as bad for my mind as consuming animal products is for my body and spirit. Suffice to say, I do think that real change happens from a grassroots efforts and consumer demand FIRST. We as consumers need to make good choices with our dollars and if we all switched away from plastic wrap , plastic bags and paper towel usage for instance, what would happen to those manufacturing companies? Making changes in our own homes and businesses can be just as powerful in my opinion.  7. It's funny. I always tell people that reusing is nothing new. It’s been going on long before we were here. Do you have any memories of your parents or grandparents reusing in unique ways?   My Dad is the King of saving things for reusing or repurposing years later. From nuts, bolts and screws to wood scraps, fittings, electrical wire and everything in between, if you need something, you ask my Dad FIRST. More often than not, he has something that will work OR he can figure out a way to manipulate it to make it work for the intended purpose. He learned this from his Grandfather who lived to be 103 in his own house in Boothbay Harbor, Maine. My Great Grandfather filled his garage with well organized stacks of magazines, buckets of tennis balls (the strays that would roll across the street from the neighboring tennis courts) containers of used nails, screws, and an endless array of parts and pieces for anything you could imagine. He prided himself on not buying new, but reusing what he had saved and my Dad is exactly that way. 8. Do you have any notable stories about saving money on something because you bought it used instead of new? The very first pottery wheel that I ever owned, I bought used from a woman who had saved it because it belonged to a potter friend of hers. It was a motorized kick wheel which is a manual version of the modern day electric wheels and it had a huge tractor seat and you had to kick a heavy metal disc to make the pottery wheel spin and then you could engage a foot pedal to keep the wheel going at a single speed. I had that wheel for the first two years I was making pots in my parents garage.    Years later a friend of mine was offloading his home studio equipment and I was able to get a really large electric kiln, a potters wheel and stool and a large heavy duty slab roller for rolling out flat pieces of clay as a package deal. I never would have been able to afford any one of the items new and I estimated that I saved myself well over $10,000. I resold the wheel recouping some cost but the kiln worked great for me for nearly a decade and the slab roller is still in use in my studio today nearly 2 decades later. 9. Have you ever taken anything out of the recycling bin or trash to reuse somehow or maybe found something on the side of the road? My husband and I make it a point to peer into any dumpster that’s on a job site or road side to see if there's anything worth salvaging. I’ve certainly acquired the odd outdoor patio chair or coffee table from folks who put free signs on things outside their house over the years.  10. And lastly, what’s the best thing that you ever got used and why? Got a photo?   The kiln I purchased used was by far the best thing as it helped me make more money in my business over the decade of using it.  To learn more about Lyndsay, her pottery, and maybe even visit her retail shop, head over to The Vegan Potter website here. To order the "I Seed Change" T-Shirt that Lyndsay is wearing in her profile photo, head over to the STAY VOCAL Shop .

My friend's mom has been repurposing and giving new life to furniture for years. And she's always been a sense of reuse inspiration for me. One of her biggest projects was converting a junky shed in the backyard into a 3-season work and sleep space. With a small fireplace or heater, it could easily be a great tiny house for a longterm guest. The house is decorated with all sorts of reclaimed and repurposed furniture, antiques and even some vintage tools.

I recently was at an event with STAY VOCAL and got into a conversation about movies with another vendor. He was telling me how he doesn't stream any movies, but instead goes to one of the only remaining videos stores in the Boston area called The Vu. Hearing his passion for the store got me thinking about something that I am reminded of a lot: I really miss video stores! Sure, streaming is cheaper, convenient, and it offers endless choices, but video stores brought way more value. The weekend would come and you'd go out with your family or friend to the store after dinner. You'd walk around talking about movies, laughing at funny covers, flip potential winners over and read what they're all about. Then you'd decide upon a few and maybe grab some snacks. Depending on the person working, you might have a great conversation about the movies you rented, upcoming releases, life, etc. And how about that excitement at the counter when the new release that was out of stock was in the "Just Returned" section? These days, it's just click and watch. We gain convenience, but we lose connection, communication and community. And honestly, with more choices and more streaming services, it just adds more confusion. How many times have you endlessly scrolled trying to find something and you just end up watching your favorite show or movie again? It's OK for us to admit that not every innovation will be better. I've felt this way for a while, which is why a video store was one of the places that I had to film for REUSE. Because You Can't Recycle The Planet. The image above is from when I was filming at Videoport in Portland, Maine. Rental is a major component of reuse. In addition to the ones I listed above, the benefits of rental include less resources used when items are shared and businesses can be created around rentals. In the future, I'd like to see video stores make a comeback. Maybe they don't have to have all of the current movies, as streaming does prevent a lot of waste and packaging. But like many public libraries already do, they could be a place to share all of the millions of DVDs, videos, laser discs, and coordinating players that are already in existence; keeping those items and films alive for future generations. What is your favorite thing about a video store? Got a favorite memory?

As I wrote about in my previous posts about recycling, people still focus on it, yet this supposed godsend to our waste problem has failed. But before we can move forward, we have to look backward. The concept of waste around the world is nothing new and solutions of what to do with it have always been there. It's just that these days, the amount of waste is astronomical, especially in the United States. The U.S. is the number one country in the world as far as the amount of waste per person, per day goes. The average American creates 5.69 pounds of waste per day. Hooray for being number one? One thing I always say is that the reuse solution that I've promoted through my brand and movies is nothing new. My parents and their parents grew up reusing. It was common place. Words like "single use", "disposable", and "recyclable" simply did not exist. Items like bottled water, fast fashion, and particle board furniture did not exist. People used things until they were worn out. Items were repaired. Clothing was mended. The earliest thrift stores were open over 100 years ago. And during World War 2, there were numerous campaigns for households to donate "waste" to be reused for various war efforts. But in the years after the war and as the U.S. economy grew, the 1960's came along and the use of plastic exploded. The disposable society that most of us have known for years was born and the concept of throwing things away became the norm. People began to love the convenience of just being able to "toss-away" their waste. (I find it interesting that this coincided with the era of peace and love for our fellow humans.) In the 1970s, people began seeing that all of these "conveniences" were filling up the landfills. "Away" wasn't as far off as they thought. Many cities began burning trash, but inevitably, people saw the pollution that was being created. Curbside recycling programs began popping up as a way to appease that convenience for single use items. People also began seeing the economic benefit of taking things out of the waste stream. In the 1980’s, recycling began taking off and being billed as the number one solution for the waste problem. For people who wanted to help combat pollution and save the planet, recycling was the action of choice. More and more communities started recycling programs and it became part of curriculum in schools. I was one of the students that learned about it. As the 90s and 00s continued, the idea of recycling being the godsend continued. Bins became much more widespread and the norm in schools, public buildings, airports and even city sidewalks. A lot of companies began boasting that their products were made with partially recycled content or how their products could be recycled. But then came the 2010s. People started seeing behind the curtain and realizing that recycling wasn't what it was cracked up to be. By focusing on single use as much as possible because "it can be recycled," the mantra seemed to be "make make make," without realizing that you can only recycle so much. With overwhelming amounts of recycling, companies in the U.S needed to find solutions for the recyclables, so they started shipping it overseas. But inevitably, other countries got fed up and China even put a ban on importing the U.S.' garbage.  In 2017, China officially banned the importing of 24 types of solid waste. Just because something is recyclable, doesn't mean it will actually be recycled. As time went on, more and more people realized that there were simply a lot of myths around recycling. A recent study found that only 5-6% of plastic is transformed into new items and since recycling began, less than 10 percent of plastic has ever been recycled! Personally, I have been seeing the recycling myth for years. I used to be a big time Dunkin' Donuts coffee drinker, but then I looked into their styrofoam cups. Their website used to boast that they were recyclable. The only problem was that there were only a handful of facilities in the entire US that recycled styrofoam. So, the majority of the cups ended up in the landfill. Recycling was a great idea in the 70s. They had a problem with the the influx of single use trash and they needed to figure out a solution. But as time went on and our recycling centers started filling up, the real problem became apparent (again). The real problem is making too much single use, disposable products. And recycling is just perpetuating single use. We've tried recycling for years and the experiment didn't work. On the small scale, individuals don't recycle everything that's recyclable. On a larger scale, some places say they recycle, but they actually don't. After 50 years, the US has only gotten up to 23% of the waste that we make being recycled. And now we can't send it off to other countries. Do we need any more signs that we need to be accountable for our waste? The real solution to our waste problem is one that was already here and if we’re going to continue to be here, that solution needs to come back in full force. Why recycle and hope for the best, "wishcycling", when you can immediately know the impact that you're making with reuse? There are a lot of easy reuse alternatives for things normally recycled and in my next and final installment of this series, that's what I'll be talking about.