Upcycling Plastics and the Fish Sculptures in Rio

I discovered these amazing fish sculptures when a Facebook friend posted a photo of them.  Created out of plastic bottles, they were installed on Botafogo Beach in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil,  in time for the UN Conference on Sustainable Development last week.  The conference was a follow up to the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development, also held in Rio.  A sign near the sculptures said (in Portuguese) 'recycle your attitude'.

Image ©  Reuters

We on the Etsy Trashion Team are familiar with recycling our attitude.  It's about thinking of the impact of what we buy and consume.  It's about looking at trash and seeing the possibilities.  Here are a few terrific examples...

Spalted Maple Pendant with Upcycled Plastic Bottle
Image © Tangora Designs

REcap Bracelet from Upcycled Marker Caps
Image © Twitch and Whiskers

Upcycled Plastic Phone Card
Image © Junck

Here's to a sustainable future!

 

What's Up Wednesday: The Creative Block & Tangora Designs

Check out the latest team news.  

Visit Leslie Sirag of The Creative Block this coming weekend at the Olympia Ballroom, Olympia, WA.  Leslie is participating in the South Sound Spectacular Spring Show on Saturday, May 26 from 11 a.m.- 5:00 p.m.  The show is sponsored by the Olympia Etsy Team.  There will be free music, kids' crafts, face painting and an amazing diversity of artists and craftspeople.   Good luck Leslie!

Steampunk mixed media pendant © Leslie Sirag

Mary Tangora of Tangora Designs has been in the local news lately!  She was interviewed by The News-Gazette (an East Central Illinois paper), and discusses her latest venture into upcycled plastic jewelry.  For the full article, see The News-Gazette.  Mary was also interviewed on WAND TV on May 18th, talking about how being on Pinterest is helping her business.  Way to go, Mary!

Upcycled Pretty Plastix Earrings © Tangora Designs