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Trash Hackers Collective

Trash Hackers Collective emerged as a grassroots initiative dedicated to pioneering new methods of repurposing discarded plastic. Our core mission is to harness and amplify community potential in transforming plastics, particularly those lacking local recycling pathways, into valuable resources rather than contributing to landfill waste. Our collective role has been pivotal in developing the necessary equipment and techniques, with my emphasis on meticulously documenting processes, and establishing safety protocols to creatively and safely repurpose these plastics.

For more detailed information, please visit our IG: https://www.instagram.com/trashhackers/

Trash Hackers Collective unites a dynamic group of artists, technologists, engineers, designers, educators, and learners. Together, we are committed to demystifying and comprehensively understanding the intricacies of plastic recycling. Our collective expertise and diverse perspectives are key in uncovering new insights into the myriad opportunities, challenges, and unexpected discoveries encountered in our hands-on approach to plastic recycling. Our goal is to share our experiences and findings from local-scale plastic recycling initiatives, contributing to a broader understanding of this critical environmental issue.

 

 

Initial Explorations in Shaping Plastic through Injection Molding Techniques

 

 

Ongoing Experimental Series: Transforming Melted Plastics into Sheets and Crafting New Forms through Laser Cutting

 

Showcase from the Trash Hackers Collective Gallery Exhibition at Paragon Arts Center, Summer 2019: A Display of Unique Creations by Myself and Fellow Members

Highlight: Multicolor Extruded Beam, Expertly Lathe-Sliced to Reveal Colorful Inner Layers

 

Interactive Shredding Booth for Public Recycling Demonstrations and Custom-Made Pendant Tokens by Alice Rotsztain for Participants

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Exploring Soft Circuitry Workshop

In this workshop, participants were immersed in the fundamental design principles essential for crafting soft circuitry. The session was structured to guide students through the process of designing their first functional soft circuit prototype. As part of the comprehensive introduction, I presented an array of techniques prevalent in e-textiles and soft circuitry applications. This included an introduction to basic schematic interpretation and circuit design, equipping students with the knowledge to create their own fabric circuits using materials like vinyl cut copper foil and conductive copper tape.

One of the highlights of the workshop was demonstrating how these techniques could be applied to create fabric speakers. To further the hands-on learning experience, I programmed microcontroller ICs for the class, allowing participants to directly engage with building and testing their own circuits throughout the course. This practical approach not only reinforced the theoretical aspects covered but also provided students with a tangible sense of achievement and a solid foundation for further exploration in the field of soft circuitry.

This workshop was debuted at Make+Think+Code Lab at Pacific Northwest College of Art.

 

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PGH Artist Residency ’13

In early 2013, my artistic journey led me to a writers residency in Pittsburgh, PA, where I dedicated my time to developing innovative curriculums for teaching electronics to diverse age groups. This period was marked by deep exploration and creation, aiming to make the complex world of electronics accessible and engaging to learners of all backgrounds.

As the residency culminated, I sought constructive feedback on the e-textile workshop guides I had meticulously crafted. This led to an interview with ASSEMBLE, a valuable opportunity to refine and tailor my workshops further. The insights gained allowed me to customize the content, ensuring that it resonated with and met the unique needs of the students I would share this knowledge with. This experience not only enhanced my teaching materials but also reinforced my commitment to education and the empowering nature of sharing technical skills.