A World Without Waste
About
What is the Away Station?
The mission of The Away Station is to productively and creatively serve the community and the planet by the organized collection and redistribution of the by-products of consumption. This is done by providing a way for people to effortlessly get rid of unwanted items knowing that these items will go to good use and not go into the land-fill.
If is also a way for people to:
1. Responsibly, at one stop, dispose of unwanted items including:
- Building materials, hardware, fixtures, and cabinetry
- Clothing, house wares, and furniture
- Books, office supplies, cds
- Computers, electronics, and sporting goods
- Collectibles, antiques, and consignables
- Art supplies and materials
3. Creatively re-purpose, re-make, repair and resell these previously unwanted items.
4. Provide more jobs, passionate work, training and education.
This all results in shifting public consciousness from endless consumption to responsible interaction with the goods and products of our lifestyle and their impact on the planet.
What does The Away Station look like?
Imagine a shopping center that has an unusual artistic design and flow; simple, elegant and functions smoothly. A center that has been remodeled implementing true green ethics,using found items and environmentally sound products. The flow of the center allows for easy drop off of merchandise that you no longer want and the ability to purchase others that you do want.
A center courtyard creates a community gathering place around which are shops featuring environmentally sound items, well displayed and clearly marked, tended by knowledgeable people. There will be space for art workshops for schools and other community groups and spaces to rent for parties and events.
What else will The Away Station provide?
- Services
- Professional home and office organizational services
- Removal of goods from homes, offices, and building sites
- Consultants for green deconstruction and building
- Clearing center for businesses, organizations and individuals to drop off items and have them distributed to organizations and individuals that are in need. Skilled deconstruction crews (vs demolition)
- Internet shopping for items still at construction sites
Employment and Volunteer Opportunities
Training and employment in various shops and workshops
Rental Service
Rental of merchandise for stagers, theater groups and film makers
Flea Market Space
Rental space available for local flea markets and fundraising activities
Repair and Refinishing
Repair and refinishing of furniture, appliances
Who will use The Away Station?
The Away Station will be used by the whole community. It has something for everyone. Specifically it will be used by:
- Customers who want to responsibly dispose of their unwanted items
- People who are moving, downsizing or closing out estates
- People with growing children and changing needs
- Trades people, builders, craftsman, and home improvement buffs
- Artists and crafts people
- Schools, educational organizations and not-for-profit organizations
- Business owners
- Bargain hunters, consignment sellers and shoppers
- People who want new employment (via training)
Benefits and Values
The Away Station will create the opportunity for consumers to become less of consumers, to begin to shift their consciousness to see "junk" as a resource, garbage as a treasure and to think about reducing waste. It will redistribute goods and merchandise to people who need them, turning problems into solutions and serving the community overall.
The Away Station will allow people to continue to follow the urge for change and the desire for new and upgraded things. It will honor this human appetite and the Earth by providing a place and a way to do this easily.
For more information about The Away Station call Carrie Bachelder at 415-609-9429.