Library and Salon Partner to Recycle and Repurpose Trash Bags

Beth Wald is a recycling maniac.

And it figures. As head of the Hilton Branch of the Maplewood Memorial Library, Wald said that her work is all about recycling and reuse. After all, that's what libraries provide: one book for many eyes.

A visit to the Hilton Branch reveals that the building is filled with recycled projects. "Most of our decorations are recycling projects," Wald said as she pointed out snowmen dangling from the ceiling that children had made from old fliers. In the young adult reading room, fanciful floral decorations hung and twirled, crafted from old newspapers, books and magazines. Also on display was a beautiful "stained glass" installation fashioned from the painted bottoms of clear plastic bottles.

Now, the library is taking recycling up a notch. In partnership with Fringe Salon (also on Springfield Avenue), the Hilton Branch is hosting a recycling bin for "clean, dry" plastic grocery bags ("no funkies," said Wald). The bags will be delivered by Fringe to a recycling company that uses them for manufacturing building materials such as decking and privacy fencing. The bins were delivered last week (a second bin is located at Fringe).

But Wald's plastic bag mania does not stop there. She has been researching the "repurposing" of plastic bags as well, talking with crafters across the country. The crafters have sent Wald examples and pictures of their work which are displayed near the circulation desk at the library. Examples include skirts, sandals, totes and even a chair made of "plarn" or plastic bag strips woven into a "plastic yarn." (Get it?)

And on January 21 from 6:45 to 8 p.m. Kari of Kari's Cafe, a master craftrix herself, will be leading a workshop at the Hilton Branch on making baskets with plarn. Anyone from age 10 and up is welcome. Space is limited, warned Wald, so call now to reserve your space (973-762-1688).

Wald explained that participants should bring 10 bags to use—"Make them as colorful as possible!" If you don't have bags, the library can provide some from the collection bin.

Collection of bags that are not repurposed as totes and bags and sandals will continue at least through Earth Day, said Wald. "We are really excited to keep it going," she explained, talking about the recycling and the repurposing. "So people can see the possibilities."