Social enterprise investment ‘game changer’ for
Wales’ Zero Waste ambition
Social enterprises in Wales will receive around half of a £5.4m
‘shot in the arm’ for recycling schemes from Welsh Government.
Environment Minister Hannah Blythyn announced that the multi-million
capital investment would be spread across eight projects with social
enterprises being provided capital to help refurbish and repair unwanted items,
plus a zero waste pilot project that will provide new recycling facilities to schools in
Pembrokeshire.
Four social enterprises will receive £2.7m including Crest Cooperative
in North Wales, Frame in Pembrokeshire and Newport Wastesavers.
Eifion Williams CEO of Circular Economy Wales (CEW) CIC welcomed the
investment and said the schools programme in particular could be a ‘game
changer’ in Wales quest to become a Zero Waste nation by 2050.
Eifion said: “Social Enterprises working in our communities across Wales
are experts in reaching un-tapped materials for recycling.
“Circular Economy Wales welcomes the multi-million capital funding – the
biggest shot in the arm for community recycling for a number of years. The
funding will expand our community infrastructure and assist Local Authorities in
accessing the harder to get at materials and products.
“We welcome the Welsh Government’s commitment to involving community
organisations in this next phase of its Zero Waste Policy.”
He added that the developments would build on social enterprise,
Pembrokeshire Frame’s 'Green Shed' pilot. The scheme gives schools and the
general public an end-to-end facility, where they can reprocess glass and
plastic into new goods, of their own design.
“Circular Economy Wales will be carrying the Green Shed concept and
Circular Economy Schools to the rest of Wales. Involving the education of
the next few generations will be a game changer,” Eifion said.
“I’m personally proud that Wales is taking the lead like this, Hannah
Blythyn is to be congratulated for her vision.”
Jenny Sims CEO of Frame, which will receive £500,000 to launch a Zero
Waste Schools project in Pembrokeshire, said she was ‘excited’ by the prospect
of the new venture.
“Wales has done really well to get to number two in Europe (for recycling)
since we started changing our ways and we’ll soon be number one if our progress
continues as the government have planned.
“Getting to the next 36 per cent of the Zero Waste Target was always
going to be the harder part of the recycling journey but Frame will go fishing
for these products and materials to help people in Pembrokeshire to participate
easily as we know that’s what they want to do.”
In North Wales, Crest Co-operative has been granted £1,020,000 to expand
its reuse infrastructure in both Conwy and Denbighshire.
Jay Martin, Strategic Business Development Manager for Crest
Co-operative said the investment would lead to more jobs and apprenticeships
through the expansion of its reuse workshops and stores in Llandudno Junction
and Colwyn Bay, plus a new shop to be opened in Rhyl.
“In the last few years, our community reuse stores in Llandudno Junction
and Colwyn Bay have experienced significant growth in sales of reuse furniture,
clothing, mattresses and household goods with sales increasing month on month,”
Jay said.
“Aside of the obvious environmental benefits of our reuse activities;
they also make a significant contribution to addressing the poverty agenda by
enabling low income individuals and families access to good quality furniture
and electrical goods for a fraction of new cost.”
“We anticipate that this capital grant will enable us to create new
employment opportunities/ apprenticeships in our expanded and improved
workshops and reuse retail stores during 2019.”
Zero Waste Schools proponent and Deputy Head of Llanishen High School
Lyndon Brennan described announcement as an ‘important boost for Welsh Schools
and the education system’.
“The Schools Zero Waste Initiative will provide Welsh students with the
resources and knowledge to create a more sustainable future for them and the
nation,” he said.
“Wales has already achieved huge progress towards Zero Waste and
harnessing the formidable power of our young people will take us further along
this road, and help us to develop the enlightened global citizens that is the
essence of our education policy.
“I believe this initiative could make Wales the envy of other nations
and I'm proud to be a part of it.”
ENDS
CONTACT DETAILS
EDITOR’S NOTES
The eight capital funding projects are:
- £500,000
to Pembrokeshire Frame to support a Zero Waste Schools initiative
- £1,020,000
to Crest Co-operative
- £1,175,000
to Newport Wastesavers
Other allocated funds went to:
- £900,000
to Denbighshire County Council
- £541,000
to Blaenau Gwent CBC
- £120,000
to Rhondda Cynon Taf CBC
- £646,375
to Monmouthshire County Council
- £490,000
to Merthyr Tydfil CBC
Eifion Williams, CEO Circular Economy Wales C.I.C.
Prif Weithredwr Economi Gylchog Cymru
Jay Martin, Strategic BDM, Crest Cooperative:
Mobile: 07702 528063
Work: 01492 596783
Jenny Simms, CEO Pembrokeshire Frame
Mobile: 07814 475974
Work: 01437 779442
Lyndon Brennan
Mobile: 07854 185569
Lyndon.brennan@llanishen.cardiff.sch.uk