Sustainability and humor lie at the core of NYC based jewelry brand Garbage – both elements evident in the brand’s name. “Our name is Garbage, but we care a lot about leaving as little of it behind as possible,” reads their website.
Run by jewelry designers Elise Shatz and Shelby Scudder, the majority of their products are cast from recycled metals. In order to minimize overproduction and waste, everything is “made to order” with sustainable practices. “We acknowledge that there will always be countless ways to improve,” the two designers noted in an interview with Buzzwork, “especially as the business grows, and we strive to learn more every day.”
Their products include charms and necklaces, all made of gold and silver. Every component is sourced in the United States and assembled locally, with none of the production taking place somewhere they can’t see with their own eyes. In order to reduce further waste, the two found a caster in New York that primarily uses recycled metals.
But while sustainability is clearly important to both Shatz and Scudder, humor is another part of the equation. “Avoiding ‘preachiness’ is a huge priority for us,” they admit, “so humor definitely plays a role in the way we communicate our values.” As such, their designs are meant to be taken with a grain of salt. It’s the sort of ironic/nostalgic accessories you’d want to sport.
