"Upcycling, also known as creative reuse, is the process of transforming by-products, waste materials, useless, or unwanted products into new materials or products of better quality and environmental value." Wikipedia

On December 28, 2019, 9 members of AYUDH Atlanta held their first ever, upcycling event in conjunction with the #AyudhReuseandRestore initiative; re-purposing used rice bags (collected from satsang members) into coasters, mats, tote bags, and more, in an effort towards the goal of zero waste. AYUDH Atlanta plans to hold several more upcycling events - particularly with rice bags since they're so prevalent and easy to re-purpose.

Around 6 to 7 rice bags were used to create a doormat, 3 to 4 hand-warmers, and 3 to 4 pot-coasters. The Atlanta ashram will be using the pot coasters for the kitchen and serving. The doormat is also placed in the ashram. The hand-warmers are likely to be distributed by donation. There are several dozen more bags remaining that ashram devotees donated that are planned to be used.

AYUDH Reuse and Restore is one of the three initiatives Ayudh Americas has selected to focus on during this year's summit. It aims to work towards zero waste - in part by upcycling materials of lower value into higher value.

Making the doormat