Duhallow Furniture Revamp and Macroom Men’s Shed set for Reuse Republic
AN exhibition featuring some of Cork and Ireland’s most imaginative and innovative upcyclers, reuse initiatives and eco businesses will take place at County Hall in Cork .
Now in its second year, ‘Reuse Republic’ will showcase products made by organisations and individuals from end of life materials as well as initiatives encouraging reuse.
The exhibition is free to attend and members of the public are encouraged to come along on Wednesday, October 31.
Hosted by SMILE Resource Exchange and Cork County Council, ‘Reuse Republic’ aims to give its audience a sense of the wide range of possibilities and opportunities that exist in extending the perceived life of materials.
Among the exhibitors confirmed is WEEE Ireland, who will be doing a collection for waste batteries on the day. WEEE Ireland’s battery collections help with much needed funding for the Laura Lynn Foundation.
In addition, ladies are asked to gather any gently worn, office appropriate clothing as a collection will be held on the day for Dress For Success, a global initiative with a local branch in Cork, that supports women who are entering or re-entering the workforce.
Speaking ahead of the exhibition, Katherine Corkery, Project Manager with SMILE, said: “Ultimately we hope that people will visit Reuse Republic and leave the exhibition more informed about reuse and having changed their perceptions and attitudes towards single use.”
“Ireland has made enormous progress on recycling, which is something we should be rightly proud of ”, said Councillor Patrick Gerard Murphy, Mayor of the County of Cork.
“However, we shouldn’t forget that reuse is nearly always a better option than recycling. The council looks to support initiatives that promote and encourage reuse and, for that reason, we’re delighted to host this Reuse Republic event in partnership with SMILE Resource Exchange.”
Confirmed exhibitors include eco-businesses such as Ecocel, the Baby Markets and The Upcycle Movement, reuse initiatives including Boomerang, Circular Ocean, Duhallow Furniture Revamp, Macroom Mens Shed, Netmap and the Rediscovery Centre and national sustainability programmes such as the Community Reuse Network Ireland, the Conscious Cup Campaign, Repak, SMILE, the Southern Waste Management Region and WEEE Ireland, with more to be confirmed.
‘Reuse Republic’ coincides with Reuse Month October, a countrywide initiative funded by the three Waste Management Regional Authorities and managed by the Community Reuse Network Ireland.