Under the guise of ‘going green’ many will talk about recycling, but not really walk the walk. I’m one of them.
Obviously, many roads lead to Rome, and I do deposit my batteries, chemicals, plastics, etc in the appropriate way, as is stipulated by law. However, so far I haven’t (practically and consistently) switched to alternative ways of looking at ’stuff’, looking beyond the status quo. Yes, that is actually a personal goal I have.
Big Rig Rainbow, Burning Man. Flickr photo by SeraphimC.
Stuff we, slaves to consumption, supposedly ‘want’, ‘need’, ‘gotta have’, jumping on discounts whenever we have the chance. Not long after, we sell, replace, often to ‘improve’ our living standards. Or we tell ourselves it’s a matter of taste and personality. And after all, we live in societies of free will, purpose and continuous development.
All legit. But honestly ask yourself, how much ’stuff’ do you own that eventually gets a life of its own, aka, ‘where do I put my stuff‘?
Stuff my dad recycled.
The times I really engaged a feeling of ‘purpose’ and fulfillment was when my dad offered me to build some furniture. To my liking. My taste. Constructed from left over wooden panels and materials nobody put any ‘market value’ on anymore. Or restoring old, discarded but beautiful desks, tables, lamps and chairs. It wasn’t and still isn’t about the money. He’s retired, loves to get his hands dirty, he has two right hands, loves his family (but helps out friends, too) and is eager to prove that his versions of ’stuff’ are better than you get in any store.
This is my introduction to the following subject, that was sent to me by Gabemac: bicycle furniture. You read it correctly. Bicycle furniture. More specifically:
Bike Furniture Design is a design and manufacturing studio specializing in contemporary, modern furniture made primarily from recycled steel and aluminum bicycle rims, handlebars, and frames.
Working within the vernacular of classic modern furniture design, BFD founder Andy Gregg has continued to refine this comfortable and durable furniture since 1990.
Since the original Bike Chair, Bike Furniture Designs have grown to include a wide-ranging collection of high-quality tables, bar stools, loveseats, and more chairs. Some designs, in addition to utilizing the bicycle, also utilize components from other transportation industries.
These designs use train and automobile windows for tabletops, and surplus automotive seat-belt webbing for seating upholstery.
Bike Furniture upholstery options are unlimited. Some options include leather, rubber, cork, clear and colored acrylic, and vinyl.
BFD founder/primary designer Andy Gregg has been influenced by his years spent in bike shops, and on bikes.
No fad, no green washing, no jumping on the bandwagon, no 2008-economic-fall-out-marketing -opportunity-or-ploy’. Since 1990.
If you are as intrigued by this as I am (which you’ve read about before), you should go and have a further look. And think of the potential, not just with bikes.
WHAT TO DO NOW?