Upcycle and Recycle!

KMJ Web Design is strongly devoted to helping out our community and currently provides pro bono services for two non-profit animal shelters. One in particular is called Foreclosed Upon Pets in which the owner's son also participates in during weekly adoption events. The owner himself, is a therapy pet handler for a local hospice and is always looking for ways to give back when time and budget allow to do so. KMJ has also provided services for a human rights organizations based out of Chicago and we are currently  involved with a local Rotary chapter which does a lot to benefit the local community.     

To minimize the environmental impact our business creates we recycle our paper and cardboard boxes and are on route to become a paperless company. All of our employees use reusable ceramic coffee cups instead of using Styrofoam. Some employees are very enthusiastic about the environment and will use spent coffee grounds for gardening mulch and grow gourmet mushrooms from them. Here are some additional ideas inspired by waste:

Upcycled planter!

Here are some fun ways you can go green and "Upcycle" various common waste materials or "useless" products into new materials or products to reduce waste and help our environment!

Cds: According to CDRecyclingCenter.org about 100,000 pounds of compact discs are rendered as obsolete every month! That is over one billion compact discs which have been manufactured and sold since 1990.

Here are some ways you can reuse old CDs and create beautiful works of art.

Make it easy crafts has great tutorials on how to turn old cds into beautiful mosaic works of art!
Recycled Mosaic Photo Frame from Used CDs
Recycled CD Mosaic Flower Pot

Distracted by shiny shows us how to create a butterfly sun-catcher from used Cds!
Butterfly Sun-Catcher

Check out Creme de la Craft to create your own mosaic ornaments!
Mosaic Ornaments from CDs

Plastic Bag Crochet

Plastic Bags: Over 1 trillion plastic bags used every year worldwide,  it takes 1000 years for plastics to break down, they don't biodegrade; they photo-degrade. This means the materials break down to smaller fragments which readily soak up toxins. They then contaminate soil, waterways, and animals upon digestion.

Here are some ways you can reuse plastic bags and prevent them from ending up in landfills.

CanDarbyGarden shows us how to create a rug from plastic bags!
Create a Rug from Plastic Bags

Instructables has lots of great tutorials! Here is one on how to make a swing from plastic bags.
A Swing Hammock made from Plastic Bags

Rad Megan shows us how to go green with this awesome basket bag tutorial.
Going Green with Wrapped Baskets

These are just a few ways you can help out our environment by producing less waste and recycling in your own home or office. Hope you enjoyed our post and happy crafting!