Baibandz

BaiBandz

sustainable cuff bracelets made from upcycled aluminum cans by

Bai Wakokai

BaiBand

cuff bracelets are meant to remind us humans that we are producing way too much garbage for the planet to bear. A great amount of garbage comes from packaging: goods are delivered inside containers we don’t think we need anymore, once the good has arrived to us.

Such is also the case of nutrition products and perishables in general, which need to be sealed from the external atmosphere in order to last a convenient length of time on the shelves of the store; drinks are among these.

Soft drinks, energy drinks, many beers and juices are mostly packaged in aluminum cans, most of which is recycled in those countries where the concern for environment has become a norm.

In most of the underdeveloped countries, on the other hand, waste is abandoned or - in the best cases - taken care of by means of inciniration; the combined lack of information and lack of infrastructure offers no alternatives but to pollute.

Many plastic and glass containers are commonly reused, whereas aluminum cans are not, basically because of the impossibility to seal them again, once the lid has been pulled; a great pity for such an amazing and beautiful material.

Aluminum is among the lightest metals (which makes it a favourite in the air-transport industry) and it is resistant to rust and acids (consider Coke!). It is stainless.

So I suggest making bracelets out of waste soda cans: they’re light, don’t oxidize and if carefully crafted - don’t harm the wearer by cutting his wrist open.

They are easy to decorate, and decorations are notoriously infinite; the possibilities to make ourselves some free little sculptures to wear on a wrist are so many that I felt the need to collect a few into this eBook, as a way to inspire others to try too :) Enjoy!

BaiBandz sustainable cuff bracelets made from upcycled aluminum cans by

Bai Wakokai

Visit http://varamademetal.tumblr.com/ for more upcycled aluminum stuff.

Before throwing away the packaging of a product, think: is it well-made? Will it last longer? Will it maintain its characteristics?

Could it be used again? Could it be reused, with a new function?

Do I like it?

And, most of all, would I be able to make myself the same material, all alone?

If you don’t think you could, then you should stop throwing it, and find something useful - o just nice - to do with it.