The Culture of Consumerism: Reduce, Reuse, Reculture

19th May 2017 10:00 – 15:00

Perth College UHI’s WEEE Centre are bringing together students, professionals and interested parties in the fields of sustainability, technology and the arts for a day of activities, culture and thought provoking discussion around the topic: The Culture of Consumerism - many people believe that recycling is the best thing that they can do for the environment – ‘so long as it can be recycled it doesn’t matter what I buy’.

The morning session will tackle the issue of reuse through the creative process, opening up new possibilities and engaging audiences in something that they may not have thought about before; activities will include an upcycling workshop by artist Deirdre Bennett and showcases of art and film from the Perth College UHI students that are inspired by the theme of WEEE reuse. Attendees are also invited to bring along their portable e-waste as materials for a student challenge, facilitated by Deirdre Bennett, to produce an art work. Computing students will be on hand with a break down workshop, showing attendees how to take apart IT and mobile phones to allow us to explore the story behind them. Tours of the WEEE Centre will also be available.

In the afternoon a diverse range of interesting speakers are invited to speak around the day's topic. Gemma Lawrence, Producer at Creative Carbon Scotland, will talk about the role of the arts in the cultural transition to a more sustainable Scotland. Producer, researcher, writer and cultural historian Chris Freemantle will discuss art as maintenance, eco-art practices and the impact of the Circular Economy. Dr Jacqueline Balfour, Business Development Manager at the Scottish Institute for Remanufacture, will talk about innovations in design and manufacturing in Scotland. Tiffany Kane, Operations manager at the Common Weal, will talk about De-Consumerisation and boosting local economies. After the speakers have presented the floor will be opened up to discussion, chaired by Dr Robert Boyd, Perth College UHI, on the subject of reuse, which has taken a back seat to recycling, despite the increased environmental, social and financial benefits over recycling that many people are unaware of and how we can go about influencing the culture of consumers.

This event is funded by Perth 2021's Creative Communities Fund.

Click here for further information and to book your place: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/the-culture-of-consumerism-reduce-reuse-reculture-tickets-32293404442
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