A lot of folk, including myself, had the idea that when we were in Zambia with Greenpop we would be planting trees from dawn to dusk, and watching the sunsets. In fact, while we did have the fun of planting trees and watching sunsets, there was plenty of time for other things too.
Se7en + 1 things to Make in Camp
When you live in a zero waste environment a certain amount of ingenuity is required to out-wit and out-think the garbage that we naturally create. While recycling is the breaking down of a product to its original form and recreating that thing again – think “glass bottle – crushed – glass bottle,” upcycling is somewhat different. Upcycling is taking a product that you are finished with and recreating something new… so there’s the thing, for all the years my kids have been using our recycling to build and create they have actually been upcycling. A lot of upcycling went on in the GreenPop Campsite, providing lots of fun activities for campers to do, when they weren’t planting trees.
- Collected recycling turned into Eco-Bricks: Eco-Bricks are plastic bottles filled with non-recyclables…
- Eco-Bricks are turned into buildings and benches: With the help of mud and clay they are used to build bigger structures like homes, all the while creating an insulation layer.
- Old T-shirts are up-cycled into t-shirt string: This is so easy and makes the most lovely string to play with and create with, actually it deserves it’s own entire crafty post.
- T-shirt string can be turned into endless crafts: And I mean endless… anything you can do with string you can do with t-shirt string… weaving, knotting, well the possibilities are endless.
- Kitchen Discards turned into funky fabric dyes: Oranges and onion skins… this is indeed a lost art of chemical free, natural dyes for tie-dyeing and other funky fabric crafts.
- Incredible Clothing from the Recycling Box: I’ll forgive you if you don’t believe me, but these clothes are made entirely from recycling. that skirt is made from discarded food trays sewn together.
- Cardboard boxes, with foil, black plastic and mesh are turned into dehydrators: I have got to get my guys onto this, I have visions of dried fruit for the rest of time… dried mango, dried apples, dried pears.
Se7en + 1 Things to Do in Camp
- Dance before breakfast: This can turn a plod of a day into a great day…
- Go on a Tree Identification Course: The Famous Meg Palsgrave, author of Trees of Southern Africa, was there to teach us all about tree identification. It is as easy or difficult as learning to look at their leaves.
- Journaling was possibly the most Popular Sport: I always start a journal when I travel, but this was the first time that I kept one going right until the end.
- Attend a Workshop: There were so many workshops to join and learn… Sustainable Businesses, Permaculture, and may more.
- Evening Yoga classes: For those needing to stretch.
- An evening amble to the Baobab tree:
- The Evening campfire is not to be missed: Did I mention the nights are really cold… the campfire is a magnet for Story tellers; Talent shows, Talk nights and Movie nights. Not just any movies, Cowspiracy and The True Cost, thought provoking movies that will make you reconsider what you eat and what you wear.
Se7en + 1 things to do in Livingstone
- Play soccer in town…
- Enjoy a Meal with the Locals…
- Take a walk in the country side…
- Head for the markets…
- Do some shopping…
- Let a friendly local take you on a tour…
- Visit the Victoria Falls…
- For sunset of course…
Previous Posts on a Trip To Zambia with GreenPop
- Se7en Stories to Begin With
- The Journey that is Traveling to Zambia by Bus
- Feasting in an Eco-Friendly Kitchen
- Life in the Green Green-Pop Campsite
- There is so much more to Planting a Tree than Planting a Tree.
Such a cool initiative! And who knew planting trees could result in so much fun
So many beautiful images. The fabric in the market is my favorite!
Wow! so many good ideas. Not sure if an extra blog post will cover it all. I see a whole new blog. Great to see so many objects being recycled into something useful and not just putting off the moment to recycle it. Oh and that fabric. Please tell me you brought some home and have started stitching.
Hay Mrs FF, Isn’t it cool… turns out there is so much more to planting trees than I ever imagined. Hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!
Isn’t that fabric fantastic, Debbie, We had a sweet gal show us around the market and take us to the best spot for buying fabric… it is all I bought home in my bag. Hope you all have a great weekend!!!
Hay Cheryl… lots and lots of lovely projects, I knew you would like them. And the fabric… I bought a pile home and so far I have just looked at it and loved it. I can’t imagine what I am going to do with it. A pile of pure cotton loveliness… it is sitting on the lounge table for everyone to admire. Thanks for stopping by and I hope you all have a lovely weekend!!!
oooooh those fabrics!!! I love the look of them!
Oh Zoe… those fabrics are divine… I may actually do a whole post on our tour of the market. There were a lot of incredible things to see!!! Have a lovely day from a sunny Cape Town and thank you for all the comments!!!