MDC executive to lead newest branch of national organization designed to repurpose interior design samples and redistribute them to the community
CHICAGO—(ENEWSPF)—April 27, 2012. Giselle Walsh, Director of Environmental Affairs for Chicago-based MDC – one of the world’s largest sources of wallcoverings and coatings –is bringing ZeroLandfill™ to Chicago. ZeroLandfill™is a national organization that gives new purpose to the expired material samples no longer needed by architects and designers.
ZeroLandfill has diverted and repurposed more than one-million pounds of materials samples in 14 cities across the U.S. since the organization was founded in 2006. MDC’s Walsh will be coordinating a volunteer effort within Chicago’s architectural and interior design community. A team of volunteers is hosting a three-phased project to gather, sort and re-distribute expired sample materials to artists, educators, students and other community members who can use them.
Chicago’s first ZeroLandfill project was planned in three phases and held at the Chicago Center for Green Technology.
Phase 1 ‘Pollination’ took place on April 10th when local architects and designers dropped off expired samples.
Phase 2 ‘Cultivation’ occurred on April 21st when ZeroLandfill volunteers sorted the donated materials.
Phase 3’ Harvest’ is the final phase of the project. Local artists, educators, animal shelters and other non-profit organizations are invited to pick up carpet, tile, wallpaper samples, fabric and other materials that they can put to good use. The ‘Harvest’ will take place on Saturday, April 28 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and Saturday, Mary 5 from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Chicago Center for Green Technology, 445 North Sacramento Boulevard, Chicago.
Sustainability is a top priority for many architects and designers in the commercial construction, renovation and design industry. It’s also a priority for MDC, which recently launched a line of Candice Olson wallcovering designs featuring glass beads made from recycled windshields. MDC is also the exclusive distributor of IdeaPaint for commercial use. IdeaPaint turns any smooth surface into a whiteboard, allowing schools and other organizations to repurpose chalkboards rather than discard them.
ABOUT ZEROLANDFILL: ZeroLandfill™ is an award-winning upcycling program that supports the supply needs of local artists and arts educators while reducing pressure on local landfill capacity. Since 2006, the ZeroLandfill project team has partnered with the architectural and interior design community in identifying, diverting from local landfills and re-purposing back into the community over one-million pounds of expired specification samples that hold value for other audiences. Volunteers are welcome to join ZeroLandfill Chicago: [email protected]“>[email protected]
ABOUT MDC: MDC, located in the suburbs of Chicago, is one of the world’s largest sources of wallcoverings and coatings. MDC’s approximately 50-year history is a story of acquisitions combined with the ability to provide customers with exceptional value, product selection and service. Visit www.mdcwall.com
