Following on from my recent sighting in Mumbai – I spotted another billboard canvas being used at a building site in Ahmedabad. 

 

 

Photos from Meanest Indian.

We've written before about lengthening life-cycles of packaging at the hands of micro-entrepreneurs in India. Recently in Ahmedabad I was heartened to find, not only more examples of foiled sachets repurposed as rope to form bed bases – but also remnant fabric being used for the same thing. 

Local REculture meeting local needs.

Selling used brushes at Chor Bazaar (Thieves Market) in Mumbai. What did you do with the brushes from your last paint job? Also brings to mind the query – why does every house in a neighbourhood need a lawn mower? Bring on Collaborative Consumption!

Auto clutch repair and recycle at Mumbai's Chor Bazaar (Theives Market)

Stumbled across children down an alleyway at Dharavi who had made a makeshift temple out of old cigarette packets. 

An old billboard canvas makes for an intriguing tarpaulin on a workshop in Mumbai.         Image from Meanest Indian 

Happy New Year from the REculture team.

 

Fresh off the plane in Mumbai I hit the streets this afternoon and stumbled on a re-culture gem. Nestled behind a lean-to stall on Grant Rd were two ingenious guys fashioning lanterns out of scrap metal and glass. They cut the salvaged glass into small sections to create the lantern casing. Given that Diwali is just around the corner – they're bound to make a killing with very low material costs. I wasn't the only one fascinated by their street-side enterprise – a small fan-club had gathered round and were equally impressed with their lucrative venture.