I met Eleanor Ray at a party, she is a Lucie’s friend. Five years ago, she opened the Wasteshed, a place were second hand art materials is recycled. Every day, she collects donations, that she sorts and resells in a former factory.

«I did not invent this concept, I saw it in other cities before I decided to start my own recycling in Chicago. It’s a rewarding job: it supports creativity by making art material accessible, it creates a real link in the neighborhood, and it limits waste. I must admit that it needs a strong commitment, it is hard too to keep up the pace. The donations arrive like waves that you must constantly sort out and label. Sometimes I just can not see the end of this work. Fortunately, a group of volunteers come to help me every Tuesday night. That is very helpfull.»

«People of Chicago are not aware of the recycling issue. I think it’s partly because of the way the city manages the waste: here, the garbage is hiden. The trash can are stocked in narrow streets passing behind the houses. We call them «alleys». In front of the houses, everything is clean, apart from public garbage cans. It may be more pleasant, but it does not help to realize the volume of waste that we produce.»

Learn more about the Wasteshed