Recycling event this weekend works to repurpose leftover materials for new projects

CHICAGO (CBS)-- An Earth-friendly push to free up space in landfills is taking place this weekend.

Many of us never think about recycling materials left over from a construction project, but it's a real issue, and as CBS 2's Marissa Parra explains, a Chicago-based group is taking on the problem.

Volunteers from "ZeroLandfill Chicago" are preparing for their biannual recycling event Saturday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 1801 N. Spaulding Ave.

But it's not plastic or glass they're recycling, It's leftover material from construction and interior design projects.

The president of ZeroLandfill, Giselle Walsh, says she saw a need years ago watching how many carpet pieces and tiles go to waste.

"I worked for a company that sold wall coverings, and it broke my heart to see everything that was going in the landfill. I mean, there's gotta be something else," she said.

Walsh wanted to fix the sheer pounds of waste she saw from architecture firms and construction sites.

"It's flooring, it's wall covering, it's carpet, it's laminate tiles. So much fabric you could spin. There's glass and tile," she said.

Taking those samples and driving them to daycares who needed them was the start of what would later become ZeroLandfill Chicago.

"It feels like a win-win. Like, we get to do this good things by not throwing these things away, and help them," she said.

Now, teachers and artists, and creatives who come to ZeroLandfill Chicago twice a year are able to turn those scraps into art, earrings, purses, and even projects.

Over the past 11 years, the scraps have added up.

"We're estimating that we've saved over half a million pounds of expired samples from the landfill. Isn't that crazy?" Walsh said. "It's really overwhelming to think about all of that."

If you know how to get creative, all trash can become treasure.

"These types of laminate chips have used to cut and create these pieces of jewelry, which are unbelievably incredible," Walsh said. "This purse was made with vinyl wall covering samples, and with fabric samples that came from ZeroLandfill."

You can come out to find something for your home or classroom at Saturday's event.

You can also get more information on their Facebook page.

ZeroLandfill Chicago also partners with Envision Unlimited, so many of their volunteers are adults with developmental disabilities who are just as excited to help the Earth.