Creative Thinking with Reused Resources

Jocelyn  Forward and her colleagues at the Alpha Support Centre are amongst many who first found out about the great resources Waste Exchange offers by picking up an edition of Recycling Works, the Waste Exchange newspaper.

Alpha Support Centre provides vocational and recreational day services for intellectually disabled people. They offer the opportunity to undertake many varied activities such as arts and craft, computing, learning general life skills (e.g. baking, dealing with money etc), and generally getting out into the community with visits to museums, libraries and the like. Originally Jocelyn started picking up just a few bits and pieces from the listings (in Recycling Works and also on the website), but  soon became a member of a Waste Exchange email distribution list which kept her informed about things she might have a use for. 

Recently the Centre has accessed Lever arch files (used in the office for notes), cardboard boxes for storage, and sheets of chipboard, which have been used for wall repairs. A dishwasher - in excellent condition - has also made life easier for staff. Square polystyrene bins (which had originally held vaccination supplies) have been given a coat of paint and converted into outdoor planters (an idea suggested in a recent edition of Recycling Works!)

	Large cardboard drums (complete with lids) have also been painted and are now used for the storage of balls, wool, fabric and shredded paper, whilst cellophane from a bakery has been put to good use as a craft item. A wonderfully innovative idea saw flat card boxes (ie ready to be made up into cartons) transformed into art portfolios for the clients.
	“We’ve become very creative in what we use!” says Jocelyn. “We’re always on the lookout for different materials.” Having access to a range of resources at no cost has been much appreciated by the centre. “Using Waste Exchange has been very helpful” Jocelyn says. “It saves us money which is great, because as a trust we have limited funds.”