Tag: Recycle

Donate, don’t cremate!

Edinburgh residents are being urged to avoid the bonfire and send their unwanted furniture to a new home this season.

zero-waste-scotland-re-use-image

In Scotland more than 125,000 sofas are thrown away each year and end up in landfill. The rest – just 15% – are re-used. With Guy Fawkes’ celebrations just around the corner, Zero Waste Scotland is calling on Edinburgh residents to help boost that figure and give their goods a new lease of life simply by contacting the Re-use Line.

Created by Zero Waste Scotland, the initiative allows householders to arrange for large re-usable items, such as dining tables and sofas, to be collected, free of charge, and used by someone else. This reduces the amount of furniture that needlessly ends up in landfill – or on November bonfires – by making it easy, free and convenient to donate it instead.

Andrew Pankhurst, Re-use Campaigns Manager at Zero Waste Scotland, said: “More than 7,500 items have been donated via the Re-use Line since it was established in 2014, which is fantastic news for Scotland both environmentally and socially. The figures around re-use are staggering. The re-use of sofas saved from landfill each year contributes around £1.5million to the Scottish economy through sales and employment, and the carbon emissions prevented by re-using is equivalent to taking 682 cars off the road.

“There used to be a huge amount of hassle involved in disposing of unwanted furniture but the Re-use Line is a free, efficient solution. Its impressive uptake within just two years clearly shows it has been welcomed by householders and it’s doing its bit for local communities by supporting jobs and providing items for people in need.”

Householders can donate via the Re-use Line online anytime at www.reusephoneline.com, or by phone on 0800 0665 820 from Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. An answerphone service is available at weekends.

Common items picked up by the service include sofas, chairs, tables, wardrobes, white goods and beds that are in good condition. Zero Waste Scotland advises householders that sofas and armchairs must have their fire tags still in place to comply with regulations around re-sale, and to ensure items are not broken or damaged.

Many items picked up are sent to second hand stores which are accredited as Revolve stores, a quality standard for second hand shops that meet high standards and levels of customer service.

Encouraging greater re-use of items is a key part of Zero Waste Scotland’s work on creating a circular economy, where products and materials stay in the highest value state for as long as possible.

The Re-use Line is funded by the Resource Efficient Circular Economy Accelerator Programme Fund, which is administered by Zero Waste Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. It is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).The Re-use Line is funded by the Resource Efficient Circular Economy Accelerator Programme Fund, which is administered by Zero Waste Scotland on behalf of the Scottish Government. It is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF).

Bonfire, Muirhouse Green

 

 

Pass It On Week activities

Pass It On Week 5 – 13 March

Local organisations are backing a national campaign that aims to encourage people to keep things in use for longer.

gorgie city farm

Edinburgh residents are set to answer a national call to make things last. A host of local events have been lined up for this year’s Pass it On Week – an annual event in the recycling and reuse calendar.

In Edinburgh, this includes a diverse mix of activity, including:

–       Upcycled World are running furniture painting workshops at Tribe Porty in Portobello on 5th March to breath new life into old furniture.

–       Gorgie City Farm (above) are holding a seed swap for green-fingered locals on 12th of March.

–       Students at Edinburgh Napier University are holding a Trash Fashion event on 9th March, upcycling old bike inner tubes into fashion accessories.

–       Pupils at Abbeyhill Primary School are holding a school uniform swap on 11th March.

–       Edinburgh University Students are creating a ‘Re-use Hoose’ on 15th March to show how to much can be done with re-used household items.

These are just some of more than 250 swapping, donating, sharing, upcycling and repairing events happening across Scotland to help products stay in use as long as possible, helping to reduce our impact on the planet.

Pass it on Week is also about encouraging people to buy more re-used items. There is a growing network of second hand shops across Scotland that have achieved the Revolve quality standard, which aims to get more people buying used items.

Edinburgh has several Revolve accredited stores including the Bike Station which specialises in refurbished bikes and a number of re-used furniture stores including Fresh Start on Ferry Road Drive and the Edinburgh Furniture Initiative which has superstores in Sighthill and Cannonmills.

Zero Waste Scotland chief executive Iain Gulland said: “We’ve had a tremendous response to Pass it On Week across Scotland this year, and it’s great to see so much activity in Edinburgh. Keeping items in use for longer can save money, create job opportunities and make best use of the world’s raw materials that go into making the goods that we consume.

“It’s all about creating a society where we see the value in things instead of treating them as disposable. By sharing, swapping, repairing, buying second-hand and doing all we can to make things last, we can develop a more sustainable, circular economy for a flourishing Scotland.”

With more events being added all the time, Edinburgh residents should head to www.passitonweek.com and look up events in their area to see what’s happening.

Pre-Christmas clearout?

Call National Re-Use on 0800 0665 280

recycle

Edinburgh residents looking to make space for visiting family members over the festive period can have bulky furniture items collected for free through the National Re-use Phone Line.  The free service, managed by Zero Waste Scotland, collects unwanted items such as wardrobes, chests of drawers, sideboards, tables, sofas and beds that are in re-usable condition and takes them away to be used again. Continue reading Pre-Christmas clearout?

Need a home makeover? Visit the Design Doctor!

The doctor will see you now …!

-AW

A major eight-week social media campaign launches today to encourage Scots to try upcycling – and discover the joys of re-use.

‘Design Doctor’ – #DesignDoc – is run by Zero Waste Scotland to encourage and inspire everyone to try upcycling and discover the joys of re-use, with expert guidance from designers – both online and in person. The campaign will culminate in a range of interactive events at the end of November. 

Each week, three Scottish designers – Emily Rose Vintage and Treemendus from Glasgow and Very Vintage from Edinburgh – will completely transform one of seven items of furniture and post the details on Twitter and Facebook.

The pieces destined for upcycling will be sourced from a range of second-hand stores accredited by ‘Revolve’ – a re-use quality standard for shops who sell second hand goods in Scotland. The Revolve brand is only awarded to retailers who demonstrate a high level of excellence, both in service and product – making it safe, easy and inviting for everyone to buy second-hand items.

The Design Doctor designers will demonstrate a range of techniques and tricks to give people the creative inspiration to upcycle their own pieces of furniture, thus increasing the value of their item while lowering their carbon footprint.

Environment Minister Dr Aileen McLeod said: “The Design Doctor campaign is an ideal fit with the Scottish Government’s approach to creating a more circular economy in Scotland. The attraction of a more circular approach to our economy – where we keep materials flowing through the economy at as high a value as possible, for as long as possible – is that it tackles a number of economic, environmental, social and moral imperatives.

“Scotland’s Revolve programme is a great way to empower people to upcycle household items instead of throwing them away – and this is a concept that makes sense for business, industry, the public sector, and individuals. As we approach an expensive time of year in the run up to Christmas, this campaign is the perfect way to look at saving a bit of money and having the opportunity to be creative with some of your household items.”

Each week, Twitter and Facebook users who follow the #DesignDoc hashtag can see pictures of the piece of furniture waiting to be upcycled. Three ideas will be suggested by the designers as to how they might transform the piece and users will be asked to vote for their favourite design.

The winning idea will be used to create the final upcycled article, with an accompanying ‘how to’ guide uploaded online with pictures. The social media campaign will also include a competition to win the chance to have a piece of furniture upcycled by one of the designers.

Izzie Johnston, Reuse and Repair Manager, Zero Waste Scotland, said: “Our innovative Design Doctor social media campaign is all about encouraging people to overcome any uncertainties they may have about upcycling, and providing them with the skills and confidence to give it a try. The campaign centres around getting people involved and being interactive, so we’re really excited to see the results.

“Re-using things – whether that be through upcycling, donating unwanted items, or buying from re-use store – is one of the best options for the environment since it prevents waste going to landfill or simply being recycled.  Upcycling is a particularly exciting aspect to this because it can add both aesthetic and financial value to an item.

“Those who feel inspired to re-use and buy second-hand can visit one of over 40 fantastic Revolve-accredited stores throughout Scotland, where they’ll find high quality, excellent value goods. They can also join the conversation on Twitter by following @revolvereuse. We really want people to realise that second-hand need never mean second best.

“Equally, there is a wonderful sense of pride, achievement – and even surprise – to be gained from producing something beautiful, unique and valuable for your home by upcycling something you already have.” 

The campaign will also incorporate videos and blogs to engage people online, alongside five in-store upcycling workshops hosted by one of the three campaign designers at Revolve-accredited stores in Edinburgh, Irvine, the Isle of Bute, Dingwall and Dysart.

The Revolve-accredited stores donating furniture to the Design Doctor campaign are: Second Opportunities in Glasgow; Oskars in Paisley; New Start Highland and Everything Baby in Inverness; Cunninghame Furniture Recycling in Irvine, and Fyne Futures on the Isle of Bute.

There are now over 40 Revolve-accredited shops in Scotland. Customers with items they no longer require can ensure their goods are re-used rather than landfilled by contacting the National Re-Use Phone Line on 0800 0665 820. The facility allows callers to skip the hassle of taking large household items like bed frames, sofas and white goods to the local recycling centre, and instead have them picked up and taken to be re-used by someone else, free of charge.  Re-using rather than recycling 100 sofas, for example, saves 1.5 tonnes of carbon and is a much more environmentally-friendly option.

Follow all the #DesignDoc action on www.facebook.com/RecycleForScotland and www.twitter.com/ZeroWasteScot. 

To find out more about the Revolve programme, visit www.revolvereuse.com or follow @revolvereuse on Twitter. Businesses with an interest in becoming Revolve accredited can find out more here.

Can you #MakeThingsLast ?

Drive to encourage Scots to repair, re-use and recycle

needle

Scotland’s Environment Secretary Richard Lochhead has challenged members of the public to #MakeThingsLast with the launch of a social media engagement campaign to promote repairing, reusing and remanufacturing as part of a wider circular economy drive.

Following on from the success of the 5p single-use carrier bag charge, the Cabinet Secretary wants to know what the public believe could be the next big thing to help reduce waste and #MakeThingsLast.

Launching the campaign in Edinburgh today, Mr Lochhead said: “I wonder how many people realise that by simply hiring a kilt or a dress to attend a wedding, they are already helping to keep valuable materials circulating around our economy.

“A circular economy is where we keep products in use for as long as possible; and reused, refurbished or taken apart to make new products at the end of their initial life.

“How often do you buy new clothes for a special event that only get worn once? How many DIYers buy expensive power tools for a single task then leave them to gather dust in the garden shed? How many parents resort to buying brand new toys when something gets broken rather than repairing it?

“That’s why we’re here today – to ask people to take up our #MakeThingsLast challenge and think of ways in which they can contribute towards a more circular economy for Scotland.

“There are so many innovations to help us make better use of our resources, save money and support local jobs. For example in Edinburgh there is a tool library where you can rent out a power tool for work around the house, and then return it when you’ve finished. In Glasgow there’s a studio that offers 3-D printing, which could be the future when it comes to repairing broken toys or household items.”

Action to create a more circular economy starts with product design, which influences how products are manufactured and used – as well as how long they last and scope for repair, reuse and recycling. Combining these approaches helps to keep products in use for longer – making better use of the material, labour, energy and capital that went into their production.

Mr Lochhead added: “Scotland is already recognised internationally as a leader in the movement towards becoming a circular economy. Our Scottish Institute for Remanufacture, is the first of its kind in Europe and one of only four in the world alongside New York, Singapore and Beijing. And we are exploring the opportunities for a deposit return system in Scotland. But the new ideas will come from the public and from our entrepreneurs.”

“Creating a more circular economy is good for the environment, good for the economy and like our action on climate change, a moral imperative – it will create jobs in our communities, improve our quality of life, and just makes good sense.”

Iain Gulland, Chief Executive of Zero Waste Scotland said: “The #MakeThingsLast campaign is about engaging everyone in Scotland in finding a solution to a common problem we all share – how do we end our throwaway culture and make the most of what we already have?

“As part of the campaign, Zero Waste Scotland plans showcase some great examples from around the country, including 3D printing and tool sharing libraries, which have the potential to transform our society. We want you to share your views on these ideas, tell us your own, and get involved in the conversation. Keep up-to-date with the latest from this four-week campaign on Zero Waste Scotland’s Facebook page, or on Twitter using #MakeThingsLast.

“At the end of this campaign, your views could contribute to the development of a roadmap towards a circular economy in Scotland. This could see Scotland adopt more game changing policies and initiatives – like our recent adoption of a charge for single-use carrier bag. These changes will help shape our future society, ensuring it’s sustainable for generations to come.”

To find out more visit www.zerowastescotland.org.uk/MakeThingsLast

Still time to recycle those Christmas cards

christmas card recycleSainsburys Blackhall have been offering Christmas card recycling at the front of the shop – this has proved to be a huge success but has only a couple of days left.

So if any of our customers still have cards to recycle then the deadline is 13 January (that’s TOMORROW!) All proceeds go to FSC (Forest Stewardship Council).

Gail, Sainsburys Blackhall

forest

Don’t dump – re-use!

So many items are needlessly thrown away when they could be put to good use by others. Local Environmental Warden Andrew Barnett has passed on information about a useful FREE service: 

National re-use phone line 0800 0665 820

National re-use phone line is a service that easily allows you to pass on household items to be used again. Call the phone line on 0800 0665 820.

Examples of items that re-use organisations will accept:

• Sofas and armchairs (fire regulation tags must be attached)
• Beds and Mattresses (fire regulations must be attached)
• Wardrobes and chest of drawers
• Dining furniture
• Fridges, freezers , electric cookers, washing machines and tumble dryers
• Bicycles

Examples of items that re-use organisations will NOT accept:

• Items which are soiled, ripped or damaged
• Gas appliances of any kind
• Bulky style televisions
• Large wall units
• Items that have been left outside

Why use the re-use phone line?

• It’s a free collection service for re-usable items
• Our experienced call operatives are highly trained to meet your requirements
• You’ll be benefiting your local community and charitable organisations by supporting employment and volunteering opportunities
• You’ll be helping to reduce the amount of items being sent to landfill, reducing the environmental impact of waste
• You’ll be saving your Local Authority in landfill disposal costs; money which can be better spent in your community

Please call and speak to one of our advisors for more information on 0800 0665 820

reuse

National re-use phone line is funded by Zero Waste Scotland and ensures that you can find an alternative way to disposing of your unwanted items whilst helping your local community and reducing the volume of waste sent to landfill.

Recycle your poppies at Sainsburys

 • Customers can recycle their poppies in-store between 12th and 24th November

• All paper poppies collected will be sent to Poppyscotland where they will be re-used or recycled

• Only retailer to provide a poppy recycling service

poppies

Following the fundraising success for the Scottish Poppy Appeal, customers can make their donation go further this year at their local Sainsbury’s. The Blackhall store are providing a recycling service to support Poppyscotland.

Between 12th and 24th November, customers can choose to recycle their poppies via an in-store collection point. A poppy recycling box will be available at the Blackhall Customer Service Desk. All collected poppies will go back to Poppyscotland to enable them to re-use or recycle them.

Sainsbury’s is the only retailer providing this unique service to support the local environment and provide further support to Poppyscotland.

In June 2011, The Royal British Legion merged with Poppyscotland to form the largest charity group supporting the Armed Forces community across the whole of the UK. Poppyscotland continues to operate as a distinct charity within the Legion’s group of charities, and is responsible for running the Scottish Poppy Appeal, which raises over £2m each year.

Sainsbury’s Store Manager George Paton said: “The Scottish Poppy Appeal was a great success this year for fundraising and we’d like to thank everyone who contributed. With this recycling initiative, we wanted to show our customers another way they can support Poppyscotland to ensure their poppies don’t go to waste. We hope the recycling drive proves a success with our Blackhall customers”.

Sally McNaught, Deputy Head of Fundraising at Poppyscotland added: “We’re delighted to be working with Sainsbury’s again on this recycling initiative. The donated poppies will either be re-used or re-cycled. Its another great way for customers to support poppyscotland.”

recycle poppys