Event Recap: Turnip Green Creative Reuse
On July 24, Sheeco was grateful for the opportunity to donate our time to Turnip Green Creative Reuse’s annual fundraising event: Reduce. Reuse. Repeat. presented by Kroger Zero Hunger Zero Waste.
Turnip Green Creative Reuse is an award-winning 501(c)3 Nashville-based nonprofit with a mission of fostering creativity and sustainability through reuse. TGCR believes that everyone deserves a safe space to create. They keep materials out of the landfill by accepting donations from businesses and individuals, then offer materials to the community on a pay-what-you-wish model. TGCR hosts regular art shows featuring reuse artists in their Green Gallery. They also offer community classes on a variety of topics and serves the community with their unique after-school programs at MNPS schools.
Turnip Green Creative Reuse leads by example when it comes to sustainability. Therefore, it was extraordinarily important that this fundraising event reflected their values of being kind to the community and doing what’s best for the planet. We were so impressed by the event and are excited to share a few of our favorite features of the event!
1. Silent Auction
This event featured one of the coolest silent auctions with many sustainable options, including a real row of seats from a Southwest airplane. We loved seeing baskets from local favorites like the Good Fill and others.
In addition to all of the amazing features, TGCR brought pieces of their green gallery to sell as an additional fundraising feature. The art was beautiful and inspiring and we loved watching the crowd admire the art of reuse.
2. Decor
Turnip Green is of course an environmental nonprofit, but they are equal parts an art nonprofit and that was definitely reflected throughout the event with reuse art found everywhere you look.
Flower vases
Adorned on the cocktail tables were beautiful beaded vases and were actually rescued from a dumpster! These vases were so cool that our Sheeco helpers even took one back home to Florida.
Table cloths
Textile waste is a huge problem: 11.3 million pounds of textiles were sent to the landfill in the US in 2017. So we love that Turnip Green Creative Reuse chose to use fabrics donated to them as tablecloths for this event.
Photo Booth
Every good party needs a photo booth, right? This photo booth had the coolest background made from reused cassette tapes. Want to make your own? Be sure to visit Turnip Green Creative Reuse!
3. Venue
This event was held at InDo, a beautiful co-working space in downtown Nashville that contains an awesome event space with a bar and built-in stage. TGCR loves holding this event at this particular venue for a very special reason: they decorated the office using TGCR donations! Walking around, the event venue is so unique and leaves you feeling inspired to redecorate your whole house with old records, eclectic art, and bright pops of color.
4. Drinks & Food
Turnip the Pup
The evening’s signature beverage was delicious, but the best part of the open bar was Turnip the Pup. While he had to stay home because it was past his bedtime, he was there in *spirit* to remind people to reuse their cups and reduce waste! There is no reason to throw away a perfectly good cup after one use just because it’s not made of glass. Anyone can do this at their event with a cute sign and a few sharpies.
Food Options
The event was mindful of the food they offered and all of it was zero waste - we love to see it! The food was provided by Spread ‘Em, a food truck vendor who only served vegetarian food in paper “boats”. The only item from the truck that wasn’t compostable was the hand sanitizing wipes, though, any sanitary item is appreciated during a pandemic!
5. Waste Diversion
No sustainable event is complete without composting and recycling and that’s exactly why Sheeco was there.
We worked diligently to monitor all of the waste bins and ensure everything was headed into the right bin. The most challenging part for attendees was realizing that the cups were made of plants, not plastic! It was no problem for us though, we put on our gloves and grabbed cups and lemons from the recycling bin all evening long.
This event was inspiring all around with such a small amount of landfill waste that it fit into one small trash bag. Most of this waste was ice bags, twist ties, stickers, and a couple of plastic-coated paper products that made their way into the venue. We were honored to be a part of Reduce. Reuse. Repeat. presented by Kroger Zero Hunger Zero Waste and are grateful to have Turnip Green Creative Reuse serving the Nashville community!
If you’re interested in using Sheeco make your event more sustainable, please contact us!
