This week, we visited Charlotte’s Innovation Barn. https://envisioncharlotte.com/innovation-barn/ . This is a space where businesses come together to support zero-waste in Charlotte. We toured the barn and learned about their efforts to move from a linear to circular economy by providing new opportunities for waste.
In their plastics lab, they are creating blocks and beads using injection mold processing. They also make plastic filament from #5 plastics, which DGS can collect and drop off to the barn - they must be super clean! During Covid, they used this filament to make plastic face shields for front-line workers.
We were guided by staff from 100 Gardens https://100gardens.org/ and tie-dyed tea cloths using dye made from Japanese indigo. This was living dye, batched over the years in generational vats. Our instructor discussed oxidation and viscosity and we got to see it in action as we plunged our tied up towels into the dye.
Next, we toured their pollinator garden. Since Charlotte doesn’t have hard winters, they can grow plants with flowers all year round. They also showed us how to propagate rosemary.
100 Gardens also has an aquaponics lab on site. They have huge tilapia fish as well as some coy and one sucker fish in a massive tank. Since DGS has our own aquaponics system, we had a great foundational understanding to build upon. We reviewed how great aquaponics is for the environment, as it conserves water and prevents run-off so algae doesn’t go into streams. Additionally, it works to help decrease overfishing. Less fish are pulled out of the rivers and lakes, helping to maintain a balanced ecosystem. Did you know that someone who raises fish is called an aquaculturist? Lastly, we’re growing food! The lettuces grown at the barn are shared with an organization that helps feed refugees, as well as sold to a local hotel and restaurant.
Our tour also included a visit to their textile diversion space. Here they offer resale, upcycling and repairs. They also make sound panels by weaving cut t-shirts that have been donated. Other businesses on site include black soldier fly composting, worm vermiculture, The Bulb food rescue for local food deserts https://www.thebulbgallery.org/ and a coffee shop called Change Please that supports our homeless community with job training and all proceeds go to fight homelessness. https://changeplease-us.org/
Upper Elementary had a fantastic experience at the Innovation Barn. It was wonderful to see so many connections with our lessons and living here at Davidson Green School. We are excited to continue our relationship with the barn through field trips and community service opportunities. Thanks to the barn for making our visit so special.
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