From War to Peace’s Paul Ogren: The World’s Most Extreme Recycling
Metals from disarmed nuclear weapons systems are reborn into stunning jewelry by this California-based brand.
Here is a wild and wonderful approach to recycling that sends a powerful message about creating a greener planet, and a compelling message about creating peace in our world.
A San Luis Obispo, CA, company called From War to Peace is actually recycling materials from disarmed nuclear weapon systems and creating stunning jewelry and accessories from a remarkable alloy termed “Peace Bronze.”
The copper From War to Peace recycles into Peace Bronze is taken from the command-and-control cabling that once carried launch codes to Minuteman III nuclear missiles at the now-disarmed Grand Forks, ND, missile base. The cabling ran between U.S. nuclear missile silos, buried 6 feet deep in the prairie soil to withstand nuclear assault.
That cabling is now transformed to help launch peace in the 21st century. Peace Bronze (and the copper it comes from) undergoes multiple safety inspections and has been certified safe and entirely free of radioactivity before casting. It’s as safe as the pennies in your pocket or purse.
The process of having this cable dug up from the soil, recycling it into its core components, alloying the resulting copper into Peace Bronze and casting jewelry and art from it represents an extraordinarily complex undertaking. From War to Peace recovers its cabling in North Dakota, recycles it in Iowa, alloys it into Peace Bronze in Los Angeles, designs its jewelry on the California Central Coast and casts it in both Albuquerque, NM, and Paso Robles, CA.
Peace Bronze work is created using the ancient “lost wax” casting method, pouring 2,000+º molten bronze into carefully designed molds. For enameled pieces From War to Peace uses the last Union enameling house in the U.S., located in Phelps, NY.
A recycled wine cork by From War to Peace
From War to Peace is a truly American company. And, it is a young company with ambitious goals:
The disarmament of all nuclear weapons in our world by 2020
The creation of beautiful personal art from entirely recycled materials
Making all of its jewelry and accessories exclusively in the U.S.
Giving back 20% of its profits to peace and social justice organizations committed to transforming our world
From War to Peace is dedicated to recycling the most violent weapons ever created into celebrations of peace. Their jewelry is glorious to behold, and tells a story of genuine transformation. These remarkable products tell the world that those who wear them are committed to building a more peaceful, greener planet.
In addition to casting jewelry and accessories from Peace Bronze, From War to Peace is also proud to cast the Gandhi Peace Award, as well as the Sean MacBride Peace Prize (awarded by the Geneva-based International Peace Bureau) out of Peace Bronze. The IPB is the world’s longest serving peace organization, and was founded in 1892.
Paul Ogren, founder, From War to Peace
From War to Peace products are carried at a variety of prestigious sites, including the William J. Clinton Presidential Library & Museum in Little Rock, AR; the Jewish Museum New York, the California Academy of Sciences in San Francisco, Grace Cathedral in San Francisco and the Brooklyn Botanic Garden.
You can see From War to Peace’s beautiful work and learn more of their story at their website, FromWarToPeace.com.Paul Ogren is a former Minnesota State Legislator, an environmentalist, a peace activist, an entrepreneur and a gardener. He is the founder of From War to Peace, Inc., and grows fruit and beautiful flowers at his home in San Luis Obispo, CA.
A San Luis Obispo, CA, company called From War to Peace is actually recycling materials from disarmed nuclear weapon systems and creating stunning jewelry and accessories from a remarkable alloy termed “Peace Bronze.”
The copper From War to Peace recycles into Peace Bronze is taken from the command-and-control cabling that once carried launch codes to Minuteman III nuclear missiles at the now-disarmed Grand Forks, ND, missile base. The cabling ran between U.S. nuclear missile silos, buried 6 feet deep in the prairie soil to withstand nuclear assault.
That cabling is now transformed to help launch peace in the 21st century. Peace Bronze (and the copper it comes from) undergoes multiple safety inspections and has been certified safe and entirely free of radioactivity before casting. It’s as safe as the pennies in your pocket or purse.
The process of having this cable dug up from the soil, recycling it into its core components, alloying the resulting copper into Peace Bronze and casting jewelry and art from it represents an extraordinarily complex undertaking. From War to Peace recovers its cabling in North Dakota, recycles it in Iowa, alloys it into Peace Bronze in Los Angeles, designs its jewelry on the California Central Coast and casts it in both Albuquerque, NM, and Paso Robles, CA.
Peace Bronze work is created using the ancient “lost wax” casting method, pouring 2,000+º molten bronze into carefully designed molds. For enameled pieces From War to Peace uses the last Union enameling house in the U.S., located in Phelps, NY.
