Scroll down for a clip from the “Everything Old Can Be New Again” fashion show. See how designer duds (and accompanying music) can emerge from materials you thought you had to throw away.

Hornby Island, B.C.
Hornby Island takes its recycling seriously. That's just about the first thing newcomers discover about this Gulf Island. “They learn it as fast as they do the postal code,” says Janet LeBlancq, who manages the recycling depot. When the island's landfill site closed about 25 years ago, a residents' recycling committee found markets to take discarded glass, tin and plastics, and developed education programs for the islanders. Now, 70 per cent of their trash is recycled or reused. It's been so successful that communities in countries as far away as Ireland and Australia have used the island's recycling program as a model for their own. Besides buying reusable goods with little packaging, composting and recycling, islanders volunteer and shop at the depot's Free Store, where discarded clothing, toys, car parts and appliances are available for the taking. “We've had everything from roosters to a pickup truck that ran for one more summer,” says Janet.

Celebrating 25 years of recycling

In September 2003 the Hornby Island community decided to celebrate 25 years of recycling with an exhibition of fashion, art and music created with materials collected from the Recycling Depot and Free Store. Twenty-five models ranging in age from 17 to 70 strutted their stuff in unique outfits made from pop cans, bedsprings and chicken wire combined with lace, satin and high heeled shoes. The show was a huge success, filling not only the Hornby community centre but the parking lot outside, as well.

For more information about the Hornby Recycling Depot and Free Store go to www.hornbyisland.com and click on Hornby Recycles.

Dale Devost is the founder, company president and primary producer of Outer Island Productions Inc. For further information, a complete list of productions, references, or a demo tape, email: outerisland@telus.net