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Extreme Recycling
May 9th, 2009 by scaredpoet

So, I came across these knick-knacks while picking up a few things at a local tar-zhey:

Just so you know: the Vinyl LP picture frames are indeed made of real vinyl records. you can even see the tracks on what’s left of the platters. It makes you wonder if some of the stuff they’ve cut up into photo frames might have been rare collectibles, or actual worthless crap.

It was definitely an attention-grabber, seeing old vinyl records and printed circuit boards turned into coasters and picture frames. This is one of many products marketed by firm called Terracycle:

It all started in 2001 when two Princeton University students set out to change the way people do business. Inspired by a box of worms, these students had a dream: a company could be financially successful while being ecologically and socially responsible.

They also have an “eco-capitalists’ guidebook,” which as expected, is an online tome steeped high with MBA jargon and doublespeak, clearly aimed at trying to sell the idea to investors that green equals green. Will it work? I’ve seen their household cleaning products and now these novelties on display, but I haven’t really been motivated to buy them. Interesting idea though.

These particular items raise some questions, however. Do they know for certain the “cultural artifacts” like the vinyl records they’re “upcycling” are truly worthless. and not containing any audio content that might be some rare album collector’s wet dream? And, what are they doing about the lead content in their circuit board picture frames and coasters?


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