Creative ways to reuse and recycle
● A PROJECT supported by groups in Halton has focused on recycling and reusing furniture waste.
Organised and led by Faiths4Change, nine organisations across the region have taken part in creative reuse workshops to develop a range of repair and upcycling skills targeting furniture that was destined for landfill.
It includes The Studio in Widnes and Four Estates in Runcorn.
As part of the initiative, groups used their newly gained skills to develop an interactive large scale recycled sculpture.
The large artwork is made from unwanted materials to show what can be done with a little bit of imagination, and is now on display at Liverpool Central Library as part of the Turning The Tables project.
Faiths4Change arts and wellbeing project co-ordinator Liz Atherton said: “Over the last six months we’ve worked closely with our community hubs; ranging from a mental health hospital to a food bank to women’s services.
“We’ve been delighted how people have responded to the project and created such wonderful tiles for the artwork.
“Our project shows what ordinary people, who don’t think they’re particularly artistic, can do. It’s highlighted just how much of what we throw away can be used again.”
Residents across the Merseyside and Halton area have been learning a range of practical skills and how to update their furniture at home and getting tips on how to save money by reusing, repairing and recycling.
The project has been supported with a grant from the Merseyside Recycling And Waste Authority Community Fund.
Cllr Graham Morgan, the organisation’s chair, said: “By supporting Faiths4Change we’ve enabled them to reach out to a wide range of communities with recycling and reuse messages.
“By recognising some of the barriers that these sometimes hard to reach groups experience, the project has developed a range of activities to ensure both a better understanding of recycling services and actions, but has contributed to better communications, joint working and improved health and wellbeing overall.”
For more information visit www. faiths4change.org.uk