Recently there seems to be a growing trend with people going green. You can see it in a lot of places: products using more natural ingredients in place of harsh chemicals, emphasis on re-usability in others. But it's more than just a popular fad. Going green is about realizing the consequences of our actions doing our part to keep the world healthy.

But even with the growing recognition, one of the biggest environmental issues still looms: waste. There are many people who don't bother with recycling, especially since a lot of places require you to go through the arduous task of *gasp* sorting your own junk. Not all waste is recyclable either, and lack of support for recycling programs means some facilities not capable of handling products which SHOULD be recyclable.

Luckily, many people have found a way around this. People who know the true value of items someone else may just toss aside. These people are the Green Artists.

"I think most of us crafters are a thrifty bunch. We use what we have until we're down the the nibs. The first rule of green crafting is to waste not (want not)." *Mredria commented. Why should we spend so much money consuming, buying new materials from the store, when so much is just being tossed aside?



One green artist *Artemisia52 won a $5000 award for his Redivivus Dolls (above) made from materials that would otherwise have gone to a landfill. "I'm very into using recycled/waste stuff wherever I can - I hate profligacy. I've been around long enough to really notice where our wastefulness as a species is leading......and quickly."

~ripitout goes all out when it comes to making green art. "i recycle everything i can and i tend to use hand tools over power tools just to avoid using electricity,i use everything from branches out of fallen trees to make walking sticks to broken fences and palattes to make everything from boxes to picture frames! also been making my own dyes for tyedying shirts and blankets and i use solar power for woodburning!"

Waste is such a major issue plaguing world today and what's more is that all to much of that garbage that we're filling our world with has more potential to offer than we give it credit for.

There are many ways to help the world and reduce pollution. I hope this article has inspired you to use your creativity and find your own way of making the world a better place.

~The Green Art Club