Spreading the Message towards Peace

The Recycle Your Pants project has been supported by multiple peace organizations that we would like to recognize for their efforts in nonviolent social action.

The first time the public was able to view some of our bags while discussing our mission was at the World Peace Sanctuary located in Amenia, NY.  A Call to Peace Festival was on Saturday, August 9, 2008.  It was a beautiful event, and I would like to thank each and every person who took part in that event.  Please support them and find out more at www.worldpeace.org or just click on the title of this blog entry.

More recently we also presented the project at the Hope Out Loud annual event in Bushnell Park in Hartford, CT on Sept. 14, 2008.  Many peace activists, social organizations, individual activists and musicians made this event possible.  The group was formed in reaction to the events occurring on 9/11.  www.hopeoutloud.org

Let us all work to empower and strengthen our communities.  Take part in the world.  "May Peace Prevail."

Local Initiative for Recycling

In order to reduce our carbon footprint with RYP (RecycleYourPants.com) we are asking communities to begin working with local thrift stores or community centers who would accept the ripped and unwearable jeans needed for this project.  If you can sew, ask your local thrift store if they would be willing to set up flyers reminding people to not throw away jeans that they think are unwearable & make sure they save them for you.  If you can't sew, then find someone willing to make them that does.  RYP is in the process of beginning this on a local level and eventually we hope to help others begin similar programs in communities across the globe.  We are looking into attaining non-profit status at the start of 2009, so that this can become a social-networking site and a community empowerment program.  The site will list both the thrift stores supporting this recycling effort and have a list of places that offer sewing class, so everyone can dust off those old sewing machines.  The more we can produce for ourselves using the materials existing close at hand, the stronger we become collectively.  We certainly have a long way to go, because we have seen many things change in this world recently.  Now we are examining how we got here.  Now we just have to envision where we want to go and demand it.  

Please support the organizations who donate to this project and thank them for being involved in such a needed movement.  Here are some of the groups who have contributed:

Our biggest donation has come from the New Fairfield Thrift Shop!  Thank You.

Contact/Location:  POB 8871 / 77 Route 39 No. / New Fairfield, CT 06812  

Hours: Wed-Fri 10-4pm, Sat. 11-3pm 

www.nfcts.com (203) 746-9247

We received an interesting donation of a bag full of pockets from 

The Thrift Mart of New Milford, Inc.  

146 Danbury Road

New Milford, CT  06776

(860) 350-2153

Energy used in production of Plastic/Paper Bags

Here is a excellent link that offers information about the energy waste caused by producing so many plastic bags.  Check out the sections under Other Facts **Why paper is no better than plastic, **Impact on Oceans, **Environmental Impact.

They mention paper bags use 4 times as much energy to produce than plastic.  Also, only 1-3% of all plastic bags actually get recycled, which also consumes energy to do.  The impact they have on the ocean must be the worst part.    

When You Rip It - Reinvent it!

When you rip a pair of pants, get a hole in them, or stain them, please don't throw them out!  Let's try to reduce waste & the use of plastic/paper bags by making bags out of materials that would otherwise be thrown out.  If you don't have sewing skills, find someone in your community who does.  I have an easy design for recycling pants that are beyond repair into convenient, durable, washable bags.  Just throw them in with the rest of the laundry!