Made In Bridgeport Takes a Field Trip (Week One)

Each Week Made In Bridgeport will be visiting a Bridgeport business or project/ program where People make things. As many people know much of the things we make in our shop is recycled materials. So I can't say enough about the amazing adventure and the creative potential that can be found at The Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises, Inc. THE GREEN TEAM. You can find out more about this great program at www.greenteambpt.com

Todays Field trip brought me to vist the Green Team located at 459 Iranistan Ave Bridgeport  Connecticut. I am meeting Adrienne to discuss an April Pop Up Shop to display and demonstrate jewelry recycling. We are working on a great plan.

I was honored to meet up with Adrienne Houel President & CEO of The Green Team . I have known Adrienne for years. She gets Art!!! And She Gets Artists!!! She is a Creative Force for making great things happen in Bridgeport CT. Her program assists others with Education, Support and jobs through programs that are "Green" Focused through  the Greater Bridgeport Community Enterprises Inc and her Green Team Organization.

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One of the Businesses Created Through this Project is called "Next Chapter Books". Books are donated and recycled from area libraries in Connecticut and also donated by us local book worms.

These books are creating jobs and an opportunity to keep the massive amounts of discarded books out of the dumps . Some of the books are chosen for their Amazon Storefront. "Next Chapter Books Storefront. Walking through the warehouse Adrienne pointed out there are as many as 800 books per large freight box, they also have CD's, VHS, Books on Tape and all subject matters.
Some of the lesser quality books are set aside and packed up to be recycled for pulp and repurposed/ recycled for new items. ( I would love to get my hands on a couple of the picture books, can you imagine a mixed media artists very own living dream.)

This is Andre uploading and researching the books to go on Amazon

Allen preparing Shipping and Handling. A large order today.

Another Program Recycles Used Mattresses and Box Springs. It kind of reminded me of The Princess and The Pea when I first saw the floor to ceiling piles. These are taken apart and the metal, the wood, the plastic and springs... well each part is put in separate bins and sold for metal or plastic to lots of companies who use the recycled materials for their products. That's a Win Win and I will throw in another Win...cause it really is. The Wood Gets recycled as well. The Next photo is of the amazing book shelves that all these books are catalouged and stored on for The Next Chapter Book Storefront.  We are in the process of discussing a future opportunity for people to come and create there own from the box spring's wood. I will keep you posted. 

Isn't this awesome? Hey how can we get Lara Spencer to sponsor a maker event her at The Green Team making book shelves?? Pass it on if you know her please!!! I would be so excited.

SPRINGS!!! A lot of thoughts on what we could make with Springs, especially as displays for our Made In Bridgeport Shop.

I felt so energized by my visit and am looking forward to doing some fun projects. We are planning a Pop Up Shop event so stay Tuned.

If you know of an organization that Makes Things In Bridgeport and are making a difference in their community. Please Contact Us We would love to here from you.
And if you yourself have a gift for creativity schedule a time to meet me, you can reach me through comments or out Contacts Page or email me directly madeinbridgeport@gmail.com

Please Follow The Green Team on Facebook https://www.facebook.com/greenteambpt?fref=ts
and also check out their website. http://greenteambpt.com/
  To find out about their job training opportunities, there many great projects that help our community and our planet.

Making it in Bridgeport-

Sincerely,

Robin