This panel explores the progression of reuse initiatives in New York City from activism to grassroots organization to formalization. Panelists who built communities that normalize reuse will highlight how, regardless of scale, care is not lost in their narratives. As enthusiasts become practitioners and then organizers, these movements gain support and the agency to grow against the backdrop of capitalism. At a time when immediacy and convenience dominate consumer habits, the stories of patience and intention from this panel will inspire its audience to go forth and reuse again!


Alissa Westervelt heads the Donation & Reuse Unit at the NYC Department of Sanitation.
Since joining DSNY in 2018, she launched the donateNYC Food Portal, spearheaded
ReFashion Week NYC, and supported the City’s COVID emergency food response. As part
of RECLAIM NYC, a working group advancing construction and demolition reuse, she co-
authors policy recommendations and advises academic research.


Cynthia Alberto is a multidisciplinary artist and designer who founded Weaving Hand. Her
work emphasizes sustainability through a zero-waste ethos and spans sculpture,
performance, and large-scale participatory installations developed in collaboration with
cultural institutions, civic organizations, and public spaces. Cynthia’s work has been
exhibited nationally and internationally, most recently at the Museum of Modern Art.

Rocío Salceda is a Madrid-born artist, fashion designer, and educator based in East
Harlem. She is the founder and creative director of Repair Café El Barrio. Trained in Fine
Arts and fashion design, Rocío holds a BFA from Universidad Complutense de Madrid and
an MFA from the School of Visual Arts. Her work has been featured in The New York
Times, BBC, and Telemundo, and has received public support including a NYC Connect
grant.

Vincent Lai has been leading the Fixers Collective since 2010. He and his fellow amateur
repair technicians have hosted Fixing Sessions at Hack Manhattan, Westbeth Artists
Housing, the Brooklyn Public Library, and NURTUREArt. His work has been featured at the
Boston Center for the Arts, and Art In Odd Places. He looks forward to speaking at The
New School again since the Design, Justice & Zero Waste Conference in 2018.

Upcycling Care Team at the Visibilize-ing Care Festival