Today our study is on the term Repurpose, or the question What does repurpose mean? or What is a repurposed material? First lets look for some actual definitions:
This is from the Free online Dictionary:
re·pur·pose (r-pûrps)
tr.v. re·pur·posed, re·pur·pos·ing, re·pur·pos·es
To use or convert for use in another format or product.
I think this is a little better one from Investopedia:
Definition of ‘Repurposing’
The use of something for a purpose other than its original intended used. Repurposing an item can be done by modifying it to fit a new use, or by using the item as is in a new way.
But I think this is my favorite that I found on a unusual Blog called Portage Trail Barn;
Repurpose is a craft world buzzword and is worth defining. Repurpose has two definitions- 1. To reuse for a different purpose, on a long-term basis, without alteration. 2. To alter to make more suited for a different purpose (source).
The second definition is more likely the case when it comes to crafts and I would also like to point out the the items we are repurposing are often otherwise going to go to waste. Check out the rest of this Blog post for some great examples of Repurposing.
So there are some good definitions, now lets look at some examples of Repurposing:
Wow even the World of Warcraft is getting into it with a Repurposed Lave Dredger, whatever that is.
You will like this, Laughing Squid’s Blog has a cool example of a Repurposed Bicycle Bathroom Vanity down in New Orleans worth taking a look at.
This looks like it would be an interesting book called The Repurposed Library, about using old books to create cool art and usable items including a Kindle “keeper” for those who want to replicate the sensation of holding a “real” book while reading from an e-reader. That’s some good stuff.
So now that we have defined and shown examples of Repurposing, now the question is ‘Is TRASHE Bags a Repurposer?’ After the quandary I had with Upcycle, I am happy to say that without a doubt TRASHE Bags are repurpusing materials that would otherwise be tossed. A typical example of this would be our TRASHE Purse, made from animal feedbags. Feed bags, like the bag your dog food came in, are made from a plastic fiber composite material that has no anticipated projection for natural decomposition in a landfill and is a non-recycleable.
An Example of Repurposing in our TRASHE Chicken Purse.
Next time we are tackling ART, which I am sure will not be easy!
