Hi everyone! I would like to draw your attention to my seventh report on topic related to WASTE AND ART.

In my sixth report, I told you about recycling systems in Taiwan, and today I want to tell you about WASTE AND ART. Children today have much more opportunities than before to help save our planet from pollution and waste. Thanks to the Internet, we have more resources on hand than your parents at our age. Recycling programs are becoming more popular and affordable. They can be used to clean and process certain kinds of waste. Therefore, the materials can be re-used, and manufacturers need to produce less natural resources.

I want to tell you how I can recycle old paper into beautiful cards. Three years ago, I learned how to recycle old paper at home. This is an interesting and easy technology which helps to make a beautiful paper and postcards from old paper. I?ve already told all my friends how to recycle paper (not only in Taiwan but also in Russia). This is very interesting, fun and easy. You can also use dried flowers and leaves. With dry leaves, paper becomes even more beautiful. So,

Step 1. You need to collect old paper for recycling;

Step 2. Soak it in water overnight;

Step 3. You need to take the wet paper and put it in the blender to turn it into mush;

Step 4. You need to collect leaves, flowers or flower petals and then dry them;

Step 5. You need to put the paper mush in a large bowl of water (the liquid should be very thick), then to put the dry leaves and flowers, and then use the grid to make paper;

Step 6. You need to put or spread grid paper out  on dry paper or newspaper to dry. Postcard will be dry in a few hours.

I also use the old tree bark to draw the picture. I brought an old birch bark from Russia. I also collect different seashells on the beach or in a restaurant after dinner, and then make paintings of them (you need only glue and paint).

Last month in Taipei, artist Chin Chih Yang displayed his ?Kill Me or Change? solo exhibition at the Museum of Contemporary Art. It involved Yang being buried in 30,000 aluminum cans to raise awareness about the importance of recycling. Waste is also sometimes turned into art installations, like the nine storied EcoArk pavilion built out of recycled plastic bottles. So, if you have a creative imagination, you can always create something beautiful out of garbage.

Thank you very much for your attention.