The Reuse Museum

Practical reuse. Everyday materials. Circular thinking.

Museum Artefacts

Every object here tells a story of resourcefulness, some found and rescued as they are, others reshaped into something new. Explore what’s been collected, and what’s been made from it.

COLLECTED PIECES

The following items were collected from travels to many different places.

In India, “kabadiwalas” are informal waste collectors who play a crucial role in the waste management system, particularly in urban areas. They collect waste from households, businesses, and other sources, including recyclables like paper, plastic, glass, and metal. After collection, kabadiwalas sort the waste into different categories, and once sorted, they sell the collected recyclables to local scrap dealers or recycling centers. Overall, kabadiwalas play a vital role in the recycling ecosystem in India, helping to divert waste from landfills and contributing to the circular economy.

Ultimately, it was this culture that inspired Manda so profoundly, seeing how what would otherwise be considered rubbish was resourcefully reused for practical, everyday items. A few examples are shown below.

MADE

Inspired by the collected pieces above, Manda has recreated a similar practice of her own, reimagining materials and giving them new purpose. Always testing what is possible.