The Art of Upcycling: Crafting Unique Terra Tags from Recycled Treasures

Welcome to the fascinating world of Terra Tags, where we transform the ordinary into the extraordinary. Our journey is not just about creating eco-friendly name badges; it's about crafting stories, preserving memories, and championing sustainability through the art of upcycling.

At Terra Tags, we see potential in the overlooked and the discarded. Our raw materials are not just waste paper but hidden treasures waiting to be rediscovered. From old street maps and sheet music to colourful flyers and vintage magazines, each piece of paper holds a story, a fragment of history that we lovingly incorporate into our Terra Tags.

The process of creating these unique badges is a blend of artistry and environmental stewardship. We begin by collecting paper waste from various sources – businesses, schools, and local communities. Each piece is carefully selected, not just for its physical properties but for the narrative it brings. For instance, when we worked with Tourism Australia, we used old street maps in our pulp, infusing each badge with a sense of exploration and adventure. For the Sydney Music Festival, we added recycled sheet music, creating a symphony of sustainability.

Our upcycling process is a meticulous labour of love. We hand-chunk the paper, blending it into a perfect pulp consistency. Our equipment, sourced from second-hand stores and upcycled materials, adds to the charm and character of our studio. The moulds and deckles, crafted from old window screens and timber offcuts, are not just tools but symbols of our commitment to sustainability.

As we craft each batch of paper, we're mindful of our environmental footprint. We use minimal water, sourced responsibly, and our drying process is powered by natural elements, further reducing our impact on the planet. The result is a batch of beautifully textured, durable paper, ready to be transformed into Terra Tags.

But what truly makes our Terra Tags special is the emotional connection they create. Each badge is a piece of art, a conversation starter, and a tangible reminder of the importance of sustainability. They're not just name badges; they're badges of honour for those who wear them, symbolising a commitment to a greener future.

Our vision at Terra Tags is to continue pushing the boundaries of what's possible with recycled materials. We want to inspire others to see the beauty in the discarded and to find creative ways to reduce waste. Join us on this journey of upcycling and sustainability, and let's make a difference, one Terra Tag at a time.

Rhonda Sweet

28 years experience as a strategic designer, ethnographic researcher and people leader at Bain, Westpac and McKinsey. I'm insatiably curious and always thinking about the people who experience a solution when I design. I love complex problems quite simply because they present a wide range of perspectives that can be resolved when rooted in deep user research. A Mum, artist, and owner of Terra Tags with an uncommon obsession for medieval Tudor history.

https://www.terratag.com.au/
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Seeds of Change: The Story Behind Our Plantable Terra Tags

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Green Innovations: How Terra Tags is Redefining Event Sustainability