How to rethink your relationship with ‘stuff’ | Cat Fletcher | TEDxBrighton

so every week I intercept around five

so every week I intercept around five tons of stuff in the city and I

tons of stuff in the city and I

tons of stuff in the city and I redistribute it to people and projects

redistribute it to people and projects

redistribute it to people and projects and I know you’re probably thinking like

and I know you’re probably thinking like

and I know you’re probably thinking like why would a middle-aged mom and three

why would a middle-aged mom and three

why would a middle-aged mom and three kind of be even able to do that and why

kind of be even able to do that and why

kind of be even able to do that and why would she do it so I’m kind of going to

would she do it so I’m kind of going to

would she do it so I’m kind of going to attempt to explain all the reasoning

attempt to explain all the reasoning

attempt to explain all the reasoning behind that and the first thing to

behind that and the first thing to

behind that and the first thing to understand is that the word waste really

understand is that the word waste really

understand is that the word waste really has bad reputation so we think of waste

has bad reputation so we think of waste

has bad reputation so we think of waste as being moldy or smelly or broken or

as being moldy or smelly or broken or

as being moldy or smelly or broken or unusable and in fact it’s just something

unusable and in fact it’s just something

unusable and in fact it’s just something that we get rid of that we don’t want

that we get rid of that we don’t want

that we get rid of that we don’t want anymore ourselves and so you know the

anymore ourselves and so you know the

anymore ourselves and so you know the other reason why I’m able to intercept

other reason why I’m able to intercept

other reason why I’m able to intercept so much waste is that basically I’m

so much waste is that basically I’m

so much waste is that basically I’m afraid world tosses you know we’re part

afraid world tosses you know we’re part

afraid world tosses you know we’re part of a throwaway society whether we like

of a throwaway society whether we like

of a throwaway society whether we like it or not and you know and I’m a toaster

it or not and you know and I’m a toaster

it or not and you know and I’m a toaster as much as you’re a tosser but there

as much as you’re a tosser but there

as much as you’re a tosser but there there are really dramatic implications

there are really dramatic implications

there are really dramatic implications to our planet and our quality of life

to our planet and our quality of life

to our planet and our quality of life and our health through our ability to

and our health through our ability to

and our health through our ability to throw so much away so being Australian I

throw so much away so being Australian I

throw so much away so being Australian I kind of feel obliged to state the

kind of feel obliged to state the

kind of feel obliged to state the bleeding obvious so to start with I’m

bleeding obvious so to start with I’m

bleeding obvious so to start with I’m just kind of going to explain where all

just kind of going to explain where all

just kind of going to explain where all this stuff comes from and the whole

this stuff comes from and the whole

this stuff comes from and the whole process involved in it because I think

process involved in it because I think

process involved in it because I think if we understand where things come from

if we understand where things come from

if we understand where things come from then we value them and we have more

then we value them and we have more

then we value them and we have more respect for them which would be really

respect for them which would be really

respect for them which would be really good if we could do that so every single

good if we could do that so every single

good if we could do that so every single year year on year year after year we

year year on year year after year we

year year on year year after year we harvest and extract around 50 billion

harvest and extract around 50 billion

harvest and extract around 50 billion tons of raw materials now a lot of those

tons of raw materials now a lot of those

tons of raw materials now a lot of those raw materials are finite once once we’ve

raw materials are finite once once we’ve

raw materials are finite once once we’ve used them they don’t come back the

used them they don’t come back the

used them they don’t come back the planet replenishing a lot of the

planet replenishing a lot of the

planet replenishing a lot of the especially a lot of the valuable

especially a lot of the valuable

especially a lot of the valuable minerals that we’re digging up out of

minerals that we’re digging up out of

minerals that we’re digging up out of the earth and in that process of

the earth and in that process of

the earth and in that process of extracting the raw materials what we’re

extracting the raw materials what we’re

extracting the raw materials what we’re doing is making the things for seven

doing is making the things for seven

doing is making the things for seven billion people that are all wandering

billion people that are all wandering

billion people that are all wandering around this little tiny planet but

around this little tiny planet but

around this little tiny planet but actually as it turns out it’s only the

actually as it turns out it’s only the

actually as it turns out it’s only the Western world around fifteen percent of

Western world around fifteen percent of

Western world around fifteen percent of the world’s population get most of that

the world’s population get most of that

the world’s population get most of that stuff where it’s disproportionate

stuff where it’s disproportionate

stuff where it’s disproportionate things aren’t distributed fairly at all

things aren’t distributed fairly at all

things aren’t distributed fairly at all so I’m addressing us being in rich west

so I’m addressing us being in rich west

so I’m addressing us being in rich west country that we have a lot of

country that we have a lot of

country that we have a lot of responsibility about the things that we

responsibility about the things that we

responsibility about the things that we use and consume every day a lot of

use and consume every day a lot of

use and consume every day a lot of pollution is created to make all this

pollution is created to make all this

pollution is created to make all this stuff indeed this tee shirt I’m wearing

stuff indeed this tee shirt I’m wearing

stuff indeed this tee shirt I’m wearing now required the same amount of water

now required the same amount of water

now required the same amount of water that I’m going to drink in the next

that I’m going to drink in the next

that I’m going to drink in the next three years just to make one single

three years just to make one single

three years just to make one single t-shirt so next time you go to buy a

t-shirt so next time you go to buy a

t-shirt so next time you go to buy a really really cheap p shirt you might

really really cheap p shirt you might

really really cheap p shirt you might want to consider that something or

want to consider that something or

want to consider that something or somebody has been exploited along the

somebody has been exploited along the

somebody has been exploited along the way to enable you to be able to buy

way to enable you to be able to buy

way to enable you to be able to buy something so cheaply the true value and

something so cheaply the true value and

something so cheaply the true value and the true cost of making that item is not

the true cost of making that item is not

the true cost of making that item is not reflected in the slashed prices that we

reflected in the slashed prices that we

reflected in the slashed prices that we can buy things that in the Western world

can buy things that in the Western world

can buy things that in the Western world and I’m it’s just incredibly sad that

and I’m it’s just incredibly sad that

and I’m it’s just incredibly sad that also the impact of making all this stuff

also the impact of making all this stuff

also the impact of making all this stuff affects the livelihood of people in

affects the livelihood of people in

affects the livelihood of people in far-off countries so we’re not exposed

far-off countries so we’re not exposed

far-off countries so we’re not exposed to it we don’t see it every day but the

to it we don’t see it every day but the

to it we don’t see it every day but the only reason that we can consume so much

only reason that we can consume so much

only reason that we can consume so much and have it so cheap is that they’re

and have it so cheap is that they’re

and have it so cheap is that they’re living in really poor conditions and

living in really poor conditions and

living in really poor conditions and working in poor conditions and I’m very

working in poor conditions and I’m very

working in poor conditions and I’m very conscious that we’re responsible for so

conscious that we’re responsible for so

conscious that we’re responsible for so much equality across the world just

much equality across the world just

much equality across the world just through the stuff that we endlessly by

through the stuff that we endlessly by

through the stuff that we endlessly by and then of course we’ve got to get it

and then of course we’ve got to get it

and then of course we’ve got to get it from China or Brazil or India or

from China or Brazil or India or

from China or Brazil or India or wherever it’s made and then we’ve all

wherever it’s made and then we’ve all

wherever it’s made and then we’ve all got to dash to the shops and there are

got to dash to the shops and there are

got to dash to the shops and there are trucks and Korea vans zooming around

trucks and Korea vans zooming around

trucks and Korea vans zooming around endlessly just moving all this stuff

endlessly just moving all this stuff

endlessly just moving all this stuff around so that we can buy it and have it

around so that we can buy it and have it

around so that we can buy it and have it and then there’s the unintended

and then there’s the unintended

and then there’s the unintended consequences that happen a long way

consequences that happen a long way

consequences that happen a long way those sort of breaches of what we meant

those sort of breaches of what we meant

those sort of breaches of what we meant to happen and there’s litter and it’s

to happen and there’s litter and it’s

to happen and there’s litter and it’s getting into our natural ecosystems and

getting into our natural ecosystems and

getting into our natural ecosystems and it’s polluting the rivers and the oceans

it’s polluting the rivers and the oceans

it’s polluting the rivers and the oceans and right now in the oceans around the

and right now in the oceans around the

and right now in the oceans around the world there’s over six trillion pieces

world there’s over six trillion pieces

world there’s over six trillion pieces of plastic in the ocean and that’s

of plastic in the ocean and that’s

of plastic in the ocean and that’s obviously not particularly good for the

obviously not particularly good for the

obviously not particularly good for the water cycle it’s a pollutant plastic is

water cycle it’s a pollutant plastic is

water cycle it’s a pollutant plastic is made from petroleum it’s a fossil fuel

made from petroleum it’s a fossil fuel

made from petroleum it’s a fossil fuel product

product

product and it never ever ever goes away it

and it never ever ever goes away it

and it never ever ever goes away it never breaks down it remains in some

never breaks down it remains in some

never breaks down it remains in some form for eternity and indeed fish

form for eternity and indeed fish

form for eternity and indeed fish swallow microscopic chips of plastic so

swallow microscopic chips of plastic so

swallow microscopic chips of plastic so in fact we now have plastic in our food

in fact we now have plastic in our food

in fact we now have plastic in our food chain which is kind of not ideal it’s

chain which is kind of not ideal it’s

chain which is kind of not ideal it’s not very good for people and the slide

not very good for people and the slide

not very good for people and the slide that you see on the screen at the moment

that you see on the screen at the moment

that you see on the screen at the moment is from midway island in the middle of

is from midway island in the middle of

is from midway island in the middle of the Pacific Ocean in a thing called the

the Pacific Ocean in a thing called the

the Pacific Ocean in a thing called the Pacific Garbage Patch where there are

Pacific Garbage Patch where there are

Pacific Garbage Patch where there are thousands of square kilometers of ocean

thousands of square kilometers of ocean

thousands of square kilometers of ocean that have absorbed the last sort of 40

that have absorbed the last sort of 40

that have absorbed the last sort of 40 years of plastic that has escaped being

years of plastic that has escaped being

years of plastic that has escaped being recycled and most pertinent what I do is

recycled and most pertinent what I do is

recycled and most pertinent what I do is that every single day around the world

that every single day around the world

that every single day around the world we create 5 million tons of waste and so

we create 5 million tons of waste and so

we create 5 million tons of waste and so what do we do with that waste well there

what do we do with that waste well there

what do we do with that waste well there is actually a system and this is used

is actually a system and this is used

is actually a system and this is used all around the world on how we should

all around the world on how we should

all around the world on how we should deal with stuff that we discard and the

deal with stuff that we discard and the

deal with stuff that we discard and the ridiculous thing is is that we all agree

ridiculous thing is is that we all agree

ridiculous thing is is that we all agree it would be a great idea to minimize it

it would be a great idea to minimize it

it would be a great idea to minimize it and prevent it and to reuse what we’ve

and prevent it and to reuse what we’ve

and prevent it and to reuse what we’ve already got and they’re at the top of

already got and they’re at the top of

already got and they’re at the top of the pyramid you see behind me but

the pyramid you see behind me but

the pyramid you see behind me but actually what we’ve done for 50 or 60

actually what we’ve done for 50 or 60

actually what we’ve done for 50 or 60 years if we is we’ve invested at the

years if we is we’ve invested at the

years if we is we’ve invested at the bottom of the waste hierarchy so we have

bottom of the waste hierarchy so we have

bottom of the waste hierarchy so we have amazing factories and processing plants

amazing factories and processing plants

amazing factories and processing plants that would destroy objects to get them

that would destroy objects to get them

that would destroy objects to get them back down to their base materials so

back down to their base materials so

back down to their base materials so that those materials can be recycled raw

that those materials can be recycled raw

that those materials can be recycled raw materials and we’ve built what are

materials and we’ve built what are

materials and we’ve built what are called energy recovery facilities which

called energy recovery facilities which

called energy recovery facilities which is a nice euphemism for an incinerator

is a nice euphemism for an incinerator

is a nice euphemism for an incinerator we burn stuff now if you order your

we burn stuff now if you order your

we burn stuff now if you order your average black bin bag in the UK up to

average black bin bag in the UK up to

average black bin bag in the UK up to seventy percent of the content is

seventy percent of the content is

seventy percent of the content is compostable reusable or recyclable but

compostable reusable or recyclable but

compostable reusable or recyclable but we kind of didn’t separate it yeah we

we kind of didn’t separate it yeah we

we kind of didn’t separate it yeah we left it in the bag and disposal on the

left it in the bag and disposal on the

left it in the bag and disposal on the diagram is landfill and as you know

diagram is landfill and as you know

diagram is landfill and as you know we’re all obsessed with keeping stuff

we’re all obsessed with keeping stuff

we’re all obsessed with keeping stuff out of landfill but I’m kind of um I’m

out of landfill but I’m kind of um I’m

out of landfill but I’m kind of um I’m conflicted because I’m not sure it’s so

conflicted because I’m not sure it’s so

conflicted because I’m not sure it’s so much better to burn it although we make

much better to burn it although we make

much better to burn it although we make a tiny bit of electricity out of burning

a tiny bit of electricity out of burning

a tiny bit of electricity out of burning it so the doom and gloom that I’ve just

it so the doom and gloom that I’ve just

it so the doom and gloom that I’ve just presented to you actually means that

presented to you actually means that

presented to you actually means that there are lots of opportunities for

there are lots of opportunities for

there are lots of opportunities for fantastic

fantastic

fantastic things to happen and so I’m going to

things to happen and so I’m going to

things to happen and so I’m going to tell you about some of the things that

tell you about some of the things that

tell you about some of the things that I’ve done in the city over the last

I’ve done in the city over the last

I’ve done in the city over the last couple of years to facilitate reuse and

couple of years to facilitate reuse and

couple of years to facilitate reuse and i think that the saddest thing about

i think that the saddest thing about

i think that the saddest thing about recycling is that we’re just not very

recycling is that we’re just not very

recycling is that we’re just not very good at it and we’ve got bins and

good at it and we’ve got bins and

good at it and we’ve got bins and awareness campaigns and facilities and

awareness campaigns and facilities and

awareness campaigns and facilities and tips and all sorts of systems so that we

tips and all sorts of systems so that we

tips and all sorts of systems so that we recycle in everyone’s obsessed with

recycle in everyone’s obsessed with

recycle in everyone’s obsessed with recycling but we’re not even very good

recycling but we’re not even very good

recycling but we’re not even very good at it only forty-five percent of plastic

at it only forty-five percent of plastic

at it only forty-five percent of plastic bottles get recycled in the UK and then

bottles get recycled in the UK and then

bottles get recycled in the UK and then of course lots of people are lazy or

of course lots of people are lazy or

of course lots of people are lazy or disrespectful or don’t know any better

disrespectful or don’t know any better

disrespectful or don’t know any better or have other issues which means that

or have other issues which means that

or have other issues which means that they do not get their discarded staff to

they do not get their discarded staff to

they do not get their discarded staff to the right place and so in 2014 there

the right place and so in 2014 there

the right place and so in 2014 there were nine hundred thousand fly-tipping

were nine hundred thousand fly-tipping

were nine hundred thousand fly-tipping incidences around the UK just in London

incidences around the UK just in London

incidences around the UK just in London alone it caused some 25 million pounds

alone it caused some 25 million pounds

alone it caused some 25 million pounds every year just to mop up fly-tipping

every year just to mop up fly-tipping

every year just to mop up fly-tipping and this is why it’s been a fabulous

and this is why it’s been a fabulous

and this is why it’s been a fabulous thing for me over the last seven years

thing for me over the last seven years

thing for me over the last seven years to be able to build up a really

to be able to build up a really

to be able to build up a really flourishing reuse network on the

flourishing reuse network on the

flourishing reuse network on the internet and I did that with hundreds

internet and I did that with hundreds

internet and I did that with hundreds and hundreds of other volunteers all

and hundreds of other volunteers all

and hundreds of other volunteers all around the UK and basically we just want

around the UK and basically we just want

around the UK and basically we just want it to be easier for people to not throw

it to be easier for people to not throw

it to be easier for people to not throw things in the bin and to not fly tip

things in the bin and to not fly tip

things in the bin and to not fly tip them and to be able to pass them on

them and to be able to pass them on

them and to be able to pass them on locally so that other people can use

locally so that other people can use

locally so that other people can use them and so there’s a Freegal is how 2.6

them and so there’s a Freegal is how 2.6

them and so there’s a Freegal is how 2.6 million people do that around the UK

million people do that around the UK

million people do that around the UK it’s an incredibly rewarding thing to be

it’s an incredibly rewarding thing to be

it’s an incredibly rewarding thing to be part of and it’s not just about

part of and it’s not just about

part of and it’s not just about preventing waste because reuse is

preventing waste because reuse is

preventing waste because reuse is actually a social activity so you get to

actually a social activity so you get to

actually a social activity so you get to meet people and you can help people who

meet people and you can help people who

meet people and you can help people who may not have enough money to buy the

may not have enough money to buy the

may not have enough money to buy the things that they need so what gets free

things that they need so what gets free

things that they need so what gets free galled just really ordinary stuff

galled just really ordinary stuff

galled just really ordinary stuff toasters sofas clothes food anything

toasters sofas clothes food anything

toasters sofas clothes food anything that’s legal and you’ll see on the chart

that’s legal and you’ll see on the chart

that’s legal and you’ll see on the chart there that ten percent of what gets free

there that ten percent of what gets free

there that ten percent of what gets free gordas DIY but actually in the real

gordas DIY but actually in the real

gordas DIY but actually in the real world about around thirty three percent

world about around thirty three percent

world about around thirty three percent of all waste is from the construction

of all waste is from the construction

of all waste is from the construction industry and so in 2012

industry and so in 2012

industry and so in 2012 I was absolutely thrilled to become part

I was absolutely thrilled to become part

I was absolutely thrilled to become part of a project at the University of

of a project at the University of

of a project at the University of Brighton I was invited by local

Brighton I was invited by local

Brighton I was invited by local architect Duncan Baker Brown who wanted

architect Duncan Baker Brown who wanted

architect Duncan Baker Brown who wanted to involve lots of people in the city to

to involve lots of people in the city to

to involve lots of people in the city to construct a sustainable building to try

construct a sustainable building to try

construct a sustainable building to try and avoid some of these big impacts that

and avoid some of these big impacts that

and avoid some of these big impacts that the construction industry has and so

the construction industry has and so

the construction industry has and so Duncan and I came up with the idea of

Duncan and I came up with the idea of

Duncan and I came up with the idea of building this house he designed out of

building this house he designed out of

building this house he designed out of waste and we’re going to look at in a

waste and we’re going to look at in a

waste and we’re going to look at in a minute and there it is and it’s actually

minute and there it is and it’s actually

minute and there it is and it’s actually five hundred meters from where we’re all

five hundred meters from where we’re all

five hundred meters from where we’re all we are right now it’s cladding carpet

we are right now it’s cladding carpet

we are right now it’s cladding carpet tiles that have been flipped onto their

tiles that have been flipped onto their

tiles that have been flipped onto their back 400,000 tons of carpet goes to

back 400,000 tons of carpet goes to

back 400,000 tons of carpet goes to landfill every single year in the UK it

landfill every single year in the UK it

landfill every single year in the UK it is actually recyclable most carpet by

is actually recyclable most carpet by

is actually recyclable most carpet by the way is made out of plastic but we

the way is made out of plastic but we

the way is made out of plastic but we don’t have collection points for it to

don’t have collection points for it to

don’t have collection points for it to be recycled so we were highlighting

be recycled so we were highlighting

be recycled so we were highlighting issues like that in the waste house and

issues like that in the waste house and

issues like that in the waste house and we use normal construction materials and

we use normal construction materials and

we use normal construction materials and we also use lots of ubiquitous things

we also use lots of ubiquitous things

we also use lots of ubiquitous things that everybody has in their house which

that everybody has in their house which

that everybody has in their house which actually you can’t recycle and they kind

actually you can’t recycle and they kind

actually you can’t recycle and they kind of we have them in volume in lofts and

of we have them in volume in lofts and

of we have them in volume in lofts and garages everywhere things like video

garages everywhere things like video

garages everywhere things like video tapes and cassettes and floppy disks and

we also use normal construction

we also use normal construction materials like concrete blocks and

materials like concrete blocks and

materials like concrete blocks and timber and I it was my job to sourcing

timber and I it was my job to sourcing

timber and I it was my job to sourcing materials for the project and we

materials for the project and we

materials for the project and we actually got 25 tons more stuff than we

actually got 25 tons more stuff than we

actually got 25 tons more stuff than we actually needed because stuff just came

actually needed because stuff just came

actually needed because stuff just came out of the woodwork excuse the pun and

out of the woodwork excuse the pun and

out of the woodwork excuse the pun and in fact we got brand-new plywood from

in fact we got brand-new plywood from

in fact we got brand-new plywood from Brazil which was going to go straight to

Brazil which was going to go straight to

Brazil which was going to go straight to be recycled when it arrived here because

be recycled when it arrived here because

be recycled when it arrived here because it was slightly damaged and what the

it was slightly damaged and what the

it was slightly damaged and what the waste house done really is just exposed

waste house done really is just exposed

waste house done really is just exposed all sorts of ways that you can’t imagine

all sorts of ways that you can’t imagine

all sorts of ways that you can’t imagine even goes on so why would why would we

even goes on so why would why would we

even goes on so why would why would we use toothbrushes well we created really

use toothbrushes well we created really

use toothbrushes well we created really deep interior walls that we could fill

deep interior walls that we could fill

deep interior walls that we could fill with stuff and test them to see if

with stuff and test them to see if

with stuff and test them to see if they’d be good insulation and the thing

they’d be good insulation and the thing

they’d be good insulation and the thing about toothbrushes is their kind of

about toothbrushes is their kind of

about toothbrushes is their kind of usually made from four different types

usually made from four different types

usually made from four different types of plastic and so they’re just

of plastic and so they’re just

of plastic and so they’re just unrecyclable and guess how many we make

unrecyclable and guess how many we make

unrecyclable and guess how many we make every year this will shock you who wants

every year this will shock you who wants

every year this will shock you who wants to have a guess how many manufacturer

to have a guess how many manufacturer

to have a guess how many manufacturer and the world every year anyone 35

and the world every year anyone 35

and the world every year anyone 35 billion yeah so as it turns out why

billion yeah so as it turns out why

billion yeah so as it turns out why would we need to make that many

would we need to make that many

would we need to make that many toothbrushes when you know over five

toothbrushes when you know over five

toothbrushes when you know over five billion people don’t even have enough

billion people don’t even have enough

billion people don’t even have enough money to buy a toothbrush and so they’re

money to buy a toothbrush and so they’re

money to buy a toothbrush and so they’re all mainly coming to the west well

all mainly coming to the west well

all mainly coming to the west well actually we just make them disposable

actually we just make them disposable

actually we just make them disposable for single-use and we give them out on

for single-use and we give them out on

for single-use and we give them out on aeroplanes willy-nilly and in all sorts

aeroplanes willy-nilly and in all sorts

aeroplanes willy-nilly and in all sorts of places and so on your left is what

of places and so on your left is what

of places and so on your left is what 20,000 toothbrushes look like and they

20,000 toothbrushes look like and they

20,000 toothbrushes look like and they came from gatwick airport and a little

came from gatwick airport and a little

came from gatwick airport and a little company collected them for us in a

company collected them for us in a

company collected them for us in a couple of days easy-peasy and they paid

couple of days easy-peasy and they paid

couple of days easy-peasy and they paid for them to be bought to astound here in

for them to be bought to astound here in

for them to be bought to astound here in Brighton because that was cheaper than

Brighton because that was cheaper than

Brighton because that was cheaper than what they paid for them to be disposed

what they paid for them to be disposed

what they paid for them to be disposed of normally and we also use some a

of normally and we also use some a

of normally and we also use some a couple of ton of denim jean legs and

couple of ton of denim jean legs and

couple of ton of denim jean legs and like he knew that when you buy buy a

like he knew that when you buy buy a

like he knew that when you buy buy a pair of shorts that they probably

pair of shorts that they probably

pair of shorts that they probably started life as a pair of jeans but

started life as a pair of jeans but

started life as a pair of jeans but there is a factory up in Yorkshire that

there is a factory up in Yorkshire that

there is a factory up in Yorkshire that imports 20 tons of denim jeans every

imports 20 tons of denim jeans every

imports 20 tons of denim jeans every single year and just drops the legs off

single year and just drops the legs off

single year and just drops the legs off and refashioned them into shorts I mean

and refashioned them into shorts I mean

and refashioned them into shorts I mean we are bonkers right we’re just totally

we are bonkers right we’re just totally

we are bonkers right we’re just totally bonkers and I I kind of helped them to

bonkers and I I kind of helped them to

bonkers and I I kind of helped them to when landfill tax increased and they

when landfill tax increased and they

when landfill tax increased and they didn’t want to send it to landfill

didn’t want to send it to landfill

didn’t want to send it to landfill anymore oh my help them redistribute it

anymore oh my help them redistribute it

anymore oh my help them redistribute it and as a thank-you they sent me two tons

and as a thank-you they sent me two tons

and as a thank-you they sent me two tons of denim jean legs so that’s why they’re

of denim jean legs so that’s why they’re

of denim jean legs so that’s why they’re in there but anyway it doesn’t look like

in there but anyway it doesn’t look like

in there but anyway it doesn’t look like you know ATP or a hippie tea tree house

you know ATP or a hippie tea tree house

you know ATP or a hippie tea tree house you know it’s a beautifully finished

you know it’s a beautifully finished

you know it’s a beautifully finished property that passes all building

property that passes all building

property that passes all building regulations has won several Royal

regulations has won several Royal

regulations has won several Royal Institute of British Architects Awards

Institute of British Architects Awards

Institute of British Architects Awards so it is a beacon of sustainability

so it is a beacon of sustainability

so it is a beacon of sustainability we’ve created no waste when we built it

we’ve created no waste when we built it

we’ve created no waste when we built it I could have speed up because my timings

I could have speed up because my timings

I could have speed up because my timings way out here when when I was working on

way out here when when I was working on

way out here when when I was working on the waist house I used to load meetings

the waist house I used to load meetings

the waist house I used to load meetings at the council I was absolutely

at the council I was absolutely

at the council I was absolutely horrified because there would be skips

horrified because there would be skips

horrified because there would be skips outside all the buildings full of

outside all the buildings full of

outside all the buildings full of reusable stuff so I suggested to them

reusable stuff so I suggested to them

reusable stuff so I suggested to them that they could be a lot more

that they could be a lot more

that they could be a lot more resourceful and not call waste

resourceful and not call waste

resourceful and not call waste management sir

management sir

management sir but get me in to redistribute the stuff

but get me in to redistribute the stuff

but get me in to redistribute the stuff that they have that they no longer need

that they have that they no longer need

that they have that they no longer need why they have so much stuff they no

why they have so much stuff they no

why they have so much stuff they no longer need is because they’re going

longer need is because they’re going

longer need is because they’re going paperless so they get rid of hundreds of

paperless so they get rid of hundreds of

paperless so they get rid of hundreds of filing cabinets and all the gizmos and

filing cabinets and all the gizmos and

filing cabinets and all the gizmos and gadgets that go with paper and they’re

gadgets that go with paper and they’re

gadgets that go with paper and they’re modernizing their space and it’s not

modernizing their space and it’s not

modernizing their space and it’s not glamorous it’s very messy it’s really

glamorous it’s very messy it’s really

glamorous it’s very messy it’s really dull boring stuff and I I had one of the

dull boring stuff and I I had one of the

dull boring stuff and I I had one of the fun parts of the job is working with the

fun parts of the job is working with the

fun parts of the job is working with the staff and dealing with human behavior

staff and dealing with human behavior

staff and dealing with human behavior and there’s an awful lot of decluttering

and there’s an awful lot of decluttering

and there’s an awful lot of decluttering that goes on and you know I’m faced with

that goes on and you know I’m faced with

that goes on and you know I’m faced with this every minute of every day at the

this every minute of every day at the

this every minute of every day at the moment because right now I’m clearing

moment because right now I’m clearing

moment because right now I’m clearing this building down on hope seafront and

this building down on hope seafront and

this building down on hope seafront and today is the last is the day that the

today is the last is the day that the

today is the last is the day that the last staff member moves out of this

last staff member moves out of this

last staff member moves out of this building and I’m not there and there’s

building and I’m not there and there’s

building and I’m not there and there’s just going to be all sorts of chaos but

just going to be all sorts of chaos but

just going to be all sorts of chaos but if there’s one thing I know there’s a

if there’s one thing I know there’s a

if there’s one thing I know there’s a whole pile of stuff that we really don’t

whole pile of stuff that we really don’t

whole pile of stuff that we really don’t need to manufacture anymore and one of

need to manufacture anymore and one of

need to manufacture anymore and one of them would be ring binders so I’ve got

them would be ring binders so I’ve got

them would be ring binders so I’ve got 6,000 of them if anybody needs one I can

6,000 of them if anybody needs one I can

6,000 of them if anybody needs one I can supply we the whole of the UK for the

supply we the whole of the UK for the

supply we the whole of the UK for the next 10 years we don’t need to make coat

next 10 years we don’t need to make coat

next 10 years we don’t need to make coat hangers anymore either or paper clips

hangers anymore either or paper clips

hangers anymore either or paper clips but where we can’t get things reused I

but where we can’t get things reused I

but where we can’t get things reused I try to work with local artists and

try to work with local artists and

try to work with local artists and designers and clever people to repurpose

designers and clever people to repurpose

designers and clever people to repurpose stuff into upcycled it and we fitted out

stuff into upcycled it and we fitted out

stuff into upcycled it and we fitted out the whole interior of silo a zero-waste

the whole interior of silo a zero-waste

the whole interior of silo a zero-waste restaurant a few blocks away and then

restaurant a few blocks away and then

restaurant a few blocks away and then stuff like this plastic accessory

stuff like this plastic accessory

stuff like this plastic accessory students have made prototype new

students have made prototype new

students have made prototype new materials and beautiful designer chairs

materials and beautiful designer chairs

materials and beautiful designer chairs but the best thing about reuse is I just

but the best thing about reuse is I just

but the best thing about reuse is I just get to meet lots of lovely people in the

get to meet lots of lovely people in the

get to meet lots of lovely people in the city and not just the hipsters I get to

city and not just the hipsters I get to

city and not just the hipsters I get to meet lovely old people like this and the

meet lovely old people like this and the

meet lovely old people like this and the great thing about the council being so

great thing about the council being so

great thing about the council being so innovative in letting me redistribute

innovative in letting me redistribute

innovative in letting me redistribute their unwanted stuff is that it creates

their unwanted stuff is that it creates

their unwanted stuff is that it creates so much goodwill with the people in the

so much goodwill with the people in the

so much goodwill with the people in the city and then I get too many people like

city and then I get too many people like

city and then I get too many people like Felix who think it’s completely normal

Felix who think it’s completely normal

Felix who think it’s completely normal and reasonable to pick up a to draw

and reasonable to pick up a to draw

and reasonable to pick up a to draw metal filing cabinet on a BMX bike god

metal filing cabinet on a BMX bike god

metal filing cabinet on a BMX bike god bless him and he texted me when he got

bless him and he texted me when he got

bless him and he texted me when he got home and it was all uphill

home and it was all uphill

home and it was all uphill and my favorite charity shop in Shoreham

and my favorite charity shop in Shoreham

and my favorite charity shop in Shoreham who naturally collects all the furniture

who naturally collects all the furniture

who naturally collects all the furniture in a purple hearse but hey it’s it is a

in a purple hearse but hey it’s it is a

in a purple hearse but hey it’s it is a rare olive laughs it’s a lot of hard

rare olive laughs it’s a lot of hard

rare olive laughs it’s a lot of hard work but it’s incredibly rewarding so

work but it’s incredibly rewarding so

work but it’s incredibly rewarding so I’m just going to appeal to all of you

I’m just going to appeal to all of you

I’m just going to appeal to all of you to find your inner resource god s to not

to find your inner resource god s to not

to find your inner resource god s to not treasure planet and to rethink your

treasure planet and to rethink your

treasure planet and to rethink your relationship with stuff because it

relationship with stuff because it

relationship with stuff because it really does matter we’ve only got one

really does matter we’ve only got one

really does matter we’ve only got one planet and we can’t recycle it so please

planet and we can’t recycle it so please

planet and we can’t recycle it so please don’t trash it thank you

don’t trash it thank you

don’t trash it thank you [Applause]