My portable radio broke, which is annoying. In my attempt to reduce my waste and refuse to buy 'stuff,' I have yet to replace it. Instead, I'm catching up with my favourite CBC program's podcasts.

This morning on my walk to work I was listening to Spark Episode 117, and found the portions about upcycling and responsive architecture fascinating. The bits about public library design and virtual street corners was also interesting, of course, but not as applicable here.

I'm obviously way behind the game here, seeing as this episode aired in June 2010, but the content is still quite current. Perhaps we can get some Gumdrop disposal bins in Toronto?

Upcycling is the taking of products that had a previous life and adding a new value to them. Rather than the discarded products having the same or lesser value, like in recycling, upcycling makes discarded products into something more value. Preloved, Red Flag Design and Castor Design are the companies mentioned on the podcast, but I haven't bought anything from any of them.  In fact, I'm hoping to take the idea of preloved, and make my own things, though likely with less fashiony results. What better resource is there for fabric than my local thrift shop?!