Reuse 2.0

Last week was a busy week for those of us in the environmental field with the successful and interesting three days of Reuse 2.0. The organizers managed to pull off an event that combined art and environmental awareness in a way that will hopefully make people consider the advantages of recycling and waste minimization that are so necessary in Kuwait.

It is Equilibrium's job to now calculate the carbon footprint of the event so that the organizers can balance their load on the environment. This will include measuring their impact through travel and transport and energy use, which had been reduced as much as possible throughout.

Here are some pictures from the event for those of you who missed it:

Some interesting insect sculptures made from scrap metal. The attention to detail in these pieces was impressive.

This is one of a series of very moving photos taken by Faisal Al-Bisher and his partner Jamal Al-Ayoubi of the shocking conditions under which some members of our society live. Their images of sewage in populated streets, unsanitary living conditions and heartbreaking squalor made a huge impression on us at Equilibrium and everyone we spoke to.

University students amazed us with this very popular multipurpose furniture made from cardboard. This surprisingly sturdy piece can be flipped to make two kinds of seating and a table.

The heart of the space was this very colourful and inviting lounge area created by the artist Hassan Hajjaj who also had an exhibit of photographs and clothing at the event.

The well known Kuwaiti artist Ghadah Alkandari had a playful mix of paintings, drawings and chairs which combined the idea of switching to energy efficient lighting with allusions to the fairytale of 'Goldilocks and the Three Bears'.

Bibi Hayat had an indoor lounge area with furniture made from reused cushions and paint buckets where she served delicious sweets from November Boutique.

We hope that all events can take Reuse 2.0 as an example and seriously consider their impact upon the environment.