Workshops make Hallowe’en spooky and sustainable
Excited children and adults on Arran got into the spirit of Hallowe’en in the run up to the big day by attending themed Eco Savvy workshops held across the island.
The upcycling, creating and swapping event which encouraged reusing and reducing waste took place in Lamlash, Corrie, Brodick, Lochranza, Pirnmill, Kildonan and Kilmory.
Encouraging children and their parents to make their own goody bags and costumes with recycled materials rather than buying disposable and new items, the event also encouraged children to trade outfits or even use them for materials for new costumes.
In addition to the swapping of costumes, children also made their own outfits while learning how to use sewing machines for upcycling. A particular favourite for many was the cookie decorating and the creation of Hallowe’en bunting which utilised the Arran Dairies ice cream tubs from a recent Big Green event held in Whiting Bay. The tubs themselves were used for the planting of seeds while at the hallowe’en events the spoons were used as glue scrapers and the lids as hallowe’en decorations.
Eco Savvy project manager Judith King said: ‘The purpose of our workshops are based on the concept of reduce and reuse so that Hallowe’en on Arran continues to be spooky and sustainable. Instead of buying new costumes, with old ones going to waste, we wanted to encourage the upcycling and swapping of them. Dozens of new costumes have been created from old ones, alongside nifty bags and masks.
‘It is so important to teach these skills, showing the small steps needed to reduce personal carbon footprints, as well as the overall carbon footprint of Arran.’
Eco Savvy, who run a network of micro hubs in villages across Arran, aim to identify and accomplishing environmental projects that benefit the community, increase environmental sustainability and sustainable living, whilst working towards zero waste for Arran. Each micro hub is the focal point for waste reduction, promoting up cycling through skill sharing and reuse through swap shops and delivering educational events.