Make a Zero Waste Utensil Holder

Think through and illustrate your role in our climate challenge using the dandelion as a metaphor, and make a useful zero waste utensil holder for meals on-the-go.

Children reading in a colorful space

Photo by Irina Boersma, Courtesy of Space10

By Susan Gladwin, Climate Tech Business Leader and Sustainability Strategist

Think through and illustrate your role in our climate challenge using the dandelion as a metaphor, and make a useful zero waste utensil holder for meals on-the-go.

 

Repurpose 2 pieces of cloth cut to 20″ x 20″ each

Find 1 ribbon or cord, 30″ long, folded in half for the ties

Assemble Scissors, pins, needle & thread or sewing machine, iron

Also useful Textile markers for optional decoration

 

Be a dandelion! Dandelions are remarkable plants, too often vilified as weeds. Their deep taproots aerate poor soil, improving drainage and mineral uptake for other plants. Their leaves and flowers are edible, medicinal and full of nutrients. Early blooming, they provide needed food to pollinators. And their seeds disperse abundantly, making the plant an apt metaphor for the power of collective action! 

Roots Who, where, and what are your roots? How will climate change impact them? What knowledge and wisdom can be found in them? How can you return nourishment to the place from where you come? 

Stem What are your skills, talents, and resources? Where do you have access and influence? What values ground you? 

Leaves What needs to be done in order to build a healthier and more just world? Learn about climate solutions at www.drawdown.org. On which one will you focus?

Flower What brings you joy? What nourishes you? How do you rejuvenate? Finding where climate action intersects with your sources of joy will help you stay the course in hard times.

Seeds Communicate your concerns, needs, and actions to your family, friends, neighbors, colleagues, elected officials. Bring this activity to your communities. Join an existing climate action group and organize! 

Cover of the Education Issue

From Design Museum Magazine Issue 020

 

1. Lay two 20″ x 20″ pieces of cloth face-to-face.

 

2. Sew .25″ in all the way around starting 4″ up one side. You will need this gap to flip the project right side out. Then trim off the corners without cutting your sewing.

3. Flip inside out, iron flat, tucking in open edge seams. Fold a pocket 6″ up and pin in place.

4. Unpin the top right edge of the pocked and tuck your folded ribbon tie in. You will be sewing this in place as you make the pocket and close the open edge.

5. Plan your pockets width for whatever utensils you’d like to carry, and then sew accordingly.

6. Fold the top over your cutlery to keep it in place before rolling.