What's your trash story?  Can you recall a specific moment, experience, or person that sparked your love affair with trash? Can you share an early memory related to upcycling trash that left a lasting impression on you?

At heart, I have always been a scavenger, dumpster diving for bits of tile as a kid, picking up old furniture on the street, and learning from my grandparents who lived on their sailboat how to re-use and repair everything. I have a vivid memory of fitting my wagon to my bicycle and riding to the local tile shop to look through their dumpster, which was always filled with an incredible rainbow of ceramic tiles. I’d cart them home and make things for my parents house (to my parents dismay). As I got older, that became both artistic and practical. I’d use the free things I could find - bubble wrap, old chair legs, used blue chip savings books, aluminum cans - enough to make meaningful art. I teach my kids to to the same. Their science projects are on old pizza boxes (to their great dismay), and crazy hat day starts with a used cereal box. 

Describe your job. What’s trash got to do with it?

My background is in architecture and material technology. In my architecture career, I worked on complex material problems from concert halls to homes, working out the fine details of how those projects went together. I have a MArch from the Yale School of Architecture, and veered into materials tech after a very short (3 months and I was fired from Erik Owen Moss’ office!) stint in traditional architecture. 

Rewilder was born in 2016. I was researching industrial trash for a Materials Innovation class I taught at Art Center College of Design in Pasadena, and I came across an amazing material - beer filter cloth from a large American brewery. When I found out it was thrown away on the massive scale of 2 tons of fabric every three days, I felt compelled to do something about it. It is beautiful, durable, unique and was the seed that grew into everything we do today.

We measure success by the amount of material that we are able to divert from landfill. Then the larger impact that that has on the planet. Of course, our profit and loss sheet is a good indicator if we’re having success in the capitalist sense. Are we making money? Much of my job is about education, selling something to people that they don’t know they need, and takes vision and future thinking to value. So every project we sell is a success. Every person that changes their behavior because of Rewilder is a success. The greatest compliment I’ve ever received is from customers who say that they think differently because of their Rewilder backpack. Their Rewilder purchase started a chain reaction that now extends to other shopping habits, and life habits. 

What something you’ve seen or worked on in the world of waste that you found surprising, delightful or inspiring?

Wow, we just finished a herculean project using Michael Stars fabric scraps. We made 120 bespoke quilts that are absolutely gorgeous. I am really proud of the  love, time, sweat, blood and discomfort that went into successfully transforming that material. It was one of those projects that was truly above and beyond, and stretched our comfort zone. 

This can be dirty, sometimes disheartening work. What’s something in your work that brings you joy right now?

Working alongside two smart, creative, and strong women to lead this company is a true privilege. Each of us brings different skills and strengths to the table, and when we come together to solve problems, it can be truly joyful (see: singing and dancing around the room!). Having partners who inspire and support while pushing boundaries is something I deeply value. I couldn’t do this without them.