Trash to Fashion After Dark - part 2
We Reached Our Ambitious Zero-Waste Event Goals. Here's How We Made Zero-Waste Wicked F--ing Fun.
I established Trash to Fashion with ambitious zero-waste goals baked into the programming and operations. I saw more than a few raised eyebrows when I shared these plans. Was it possible? Could a zero-waste, no-new-plastic event be fun? I think so, but scroll down to read the comments we received in post-event surveys and judge for yourself.
How We Reached Our Goals & Had Fun in the Process
First, we focused on trash fashion, an art form that anyone can explore with materials they have on hand. (We all have trash!) It’s also an art form with no aesthetic rules or codified methods of production. ie. You get to fully express your creativity by making what you want, how you want it, without spending a dime.
Second, we focused on the joy of creating in community. As our workshop wound down, we reminded people that while they were having fun making silly, cool, or glamorous new garments and accessories, they were also diverting materials from a landfill and keeping trash of the streets. In other words, everyone who participated in the workshop engaged in environmental action - while playing.
Plus, we….
We Required Pre-Registration
People like to play their weekend plans by ear, but requiring advance registration helped us order an appropriate amount of food, serving materials and workshop materials, so we minimized waste from the start.
Set the Tone with Ambience
We had no need to buy plastic or other party decor. With flats and props from previous performances, Bregamos Community Theater has the creative vibe that says “relax and play.” Centerpieces with flowers donated by South Haven Farm and handmade pottery we borrowed for the event gave added flair. Lighting by Luminous Environments and the soundscape by DJ Dooley-O set the tone: low-key during the workshop and playful during the party.
The Zero-Waste Workshop
We used 100% upcycled base materials for our fashion creations. These were donated by attendees, EcoWorks, friends of Trash to Fashion. I (Rebekah) also shared random materials from my personal collection.
Extras went home with whoever wanted them. Two hundred pounds of unwanted textiles were collected by Helpsy for recycling.
The Zero-Waste Celebration
NO NEW PLASTIC
Our banners and signs were screen printed onto new cotton canvas and watercolor paper donated by Hull’s Art Supply, plus upcycled textiles donated by EcoWorks and me.
Lotta Studio’s photo booth backdrop was made by local artist Howard El-Yasin from all upcycled plastic fruit containers. Some of the containers were recycled afterward. Some were upcycled. The boxes await their next assignment in Lotta’s basement.
WE FEASTED ON…
Delightful breads and more made at Claire’s Corner Copia, plus salads and roasted veggies Claire’s made with certified organic recovered produce donated by Massaro Community Farm. (Recovered produce is perfectly edible, “ugly” produce the farm didn’t sell and which wouldn’t keep until the next market day.)
Via Lactea donated classic vanilla Ice Cream Sandos - gluten-free and vegan treats so good even the carnivores went back for seconds. And each sando was wrapped in unbleached butcher paper - safe for composting.
Signage at the buffet tables reminded our friends to feast mindfully.
FOOD SERVICE
Our sponsor Goodwill of Southern New England enrolled employees at four New Haven area stores to find white tablecloths, plus enough glassware, ceramic, china and glass plates, and stainless steel utensils. (This took hours and hours, but they greeted us with a smile when we showed up to retrieve the items.)
We brought all the glassware, plates, and utensils to Yale Hospitality’s off-campus facility where their staff volunteered their time and equipment to sterilize everything for us.
Attendees were invited to personalize their glasses with permanent markers and to take their glasses, plates, and utensils home.
BEVERAGE SERVICE
Each guest chose a personal glass to use and keep after the ball. We also ensured all our beverages were packaged in glass bottles or cans.
Obviously, we recycled all the glass bottles and cans after the event.
COMPOSTING
Peels & Wheels composting bins were ready to take food scraps and the compostable bamboo paper napkins donated by Whole Foods Market.
LEFTOVERS
We provided aluminum foil, so people could wrap the leftovers on their plates and take them home.
We provided compostable takeout containers, so guests and volunteers could package untouched food from the buffet and bring it home.
What remained, we donated to a local church.
So we pulled it off, but don’t believe us. Scroll down to read what our guests wrote in our anonymous post-party survey.
What people said:
I loved all the innovation.
Very much inspired to try fun creative reuse projects.
I’ve connected to my tribe.
Joy and play is rarely found in movements around sustainability. This has both.
I felt so inspired and uninhibited.
The event had play, but all the artists took it seriously which elevated it. Having a professional photographer as well also allowed the guest to feel glamorous.
Please have it again!
We would LOVE to do this again! With sufficient funding and volunteer support, this will be possible.
Do you have planning, admin, media, or fundraising skills and extra time on your hands? Reply to this email to let us know how you’d like to contribute.
