By CASEY NEILL
A DANDENONG recycler is highlighting the beauty in wood packaging waste and encouraging Australian designers to consider sustainability.
The Waste Converters and Victorian Woodworkers Association have re-launched the Create From a Crate exhibition and competition.
An increasing number of well-known furniture makers and artists visiting his site to source materials inspired Waste Converters managing director Ward Petherbridge to launch the woodworking prize.
“Our business recycles over 20,000 tonnes of packaging waste annually,” he said.
“Much of the timber processed is from exotic foreign timber species including oak, cherry, maple and elm.
“On site, we repair and re-purpose a significant volume of timber pallets but, unfortunately, a percentage still gets pulverised into low-grade mulch.
“I wanted to increase awareness of this abundant resource amongst the artistic and design community.”
Create From a Crate returned after a six-year break to more than double the entries of previous years.
Two wooden pallets were made available to each contestant.
About 10 per cent of the finished work was allowed to be other materials like glass, steel or other timbers.
A panel of woodwork professionals and recycling experts will judge the entries and award prizes of up to $3000.
Entries will be on display at Hatch Contemporary Art Space, 14 Ivanhoe Parade, Ivanhoe, from 8 to 22 February, and Backspace Gallery, Huyghue House, Alfred Deakin Place, 15 Camp Street, Ballarat, from 27 February to 16 March.
“We have booked the Walker Street Gallery for February 2015, so this is a taste of what is to come next year to Dandenong,” Mr Petherbridge said.
Visit www.wasteconverters.com.au for more information.
