Have you ever considered how creative recycling could help your wellbeing?
Let’s take a moment to break it down.
Oxford definitions:
CREATIVITY: The use of imagination or original ideas to create something
RECYCLING: The action or process of converting waste into reusable material
Being creative involves problem solving, which helps you deal more effectively with stressors in your life. Giving also helps our wellbeing by stimulating kindness and empathy, as well as making you feel like a good person; and recycling involves making a conscious effort or giving our time or money to positively help humankind and the planet we live on.
In celebration of earth day today (Tuesday 22nd April 2021), our students have banded together to bring you a list of their ideas for creative recycling. If you’re in the mood for giving one of these a go, but need some more inspiration, you can also join us on our next free wellbeing and creativity course. Below we’ve explained how each of our student’s ideas can help your wellbeing.
Happy creative recycling!
Foraging: It should come as no surprise that foraging boosts your wellbeing; after all, you’re not only getting out in nature and taking advantage of the element of surprise, awe and adventure, but you’re also picking, smelling and tasting it! This post by Network of Wellbeing discusses how foraging can help with the five ways of wellbeing too! Idea submitted by Amy Susan.
Use old pallets to build furniture. We used pallets to create our own back garden deck. It was physically demanding to do the digging, both on hot days when the ground was hard and dry, and in the wet when it was slippery. But it felt rewarding to be able to sit in our garden in the summer and relax on our nice deck by the end! I’ve also seen people make shelves and cinema chairs. The possibilities for using old pallets are endless. Idea submitted by Louisa whorrod.
Bottle bricks (or ecobricks): A plastic bottle packed tight with used plastic to make a reusable building block. Ecobricks can build furniture, gardens, play parks and more. The only limit is your imagination! If making ecobricks isn’t your thing, but you like gardening, you could always use your plastic bottles as plat pots instead! Idea submitted by Jason Langley.
Use old pictures to make new art.
When we moved house, we had an old giant black canvas with writing on it that nobody wanted. Instead of sending it to the recycling centre, I repurposed it by painting the whole thing white and used it to practice my own painting and gold leafing skills. Now it hangs proudly above the new fireplace. Idea submitted by Penny Lopez.
Make jewellery
A study published by the International journal of aging and human development showed that making jewellery offered many psychological benefits, such as through receiving compliments and becoming more self-confident. Physically, working with flowers, beads and other small items can help you stay present and eliminate stress. Furthermore, by keeping your bran active and developing your creativity, you’re also helping your cognitive functioning. Why not combining nature and jewellery together by using pressed flowers to make resin jewellery?' Idea submitted by Amy Susan.
Turn an old door into a Collage or picture frame
Creating collages, making art or art journaling knows no boundaries. It allows you to be creative without the fear or pressure on what you create. And it also provides you with endless opportunities to express your inner artistic self, as help your personal growth. Our new Art journaling course teaches you why it’s important for your wellbeing and how to get started.
As you can see, the only limitation to creative recycling is your imagination! If you have any questions or concerns, or would like to submit your own ideas, please contact the College.