Zero Waste Hub Action Group

Objectives of our group

• To address the need for better waste reduction and a more comprehensive recycling system within the town, through initial research and comparison studies across counties, including Scotland, starting with a visit to the Northumbrian Recycling Depot. To follow this with working closely with Suez, the local waste company, Town Council and NCC to initiate improvements where possible.

• To develop a series of interconnected local initiatives, which will jointly work towards the development of a more effective, circular economical model for Berwick; by encouraging a creative re-use and regeneration of materials and products.  The ultimate aim would be to reduce the amount of ‘stuff’ that ends up in landfill, such as the reduction of equipment, appliances and furniture, i.e. to Reduce, Reuse, Recycle , Repair, Remake.

• To work closely with different sections of the community, such as skilled trades-people, older and young people , local businesses, creative people, as well as local organisations towards setting up firstly a Repair Cafe with Remakery Workshops.  To follow this with the development of a Tool Library and  Library of Stuff, that would require funding for staff  and venue, with proper storage space.

• To provide support and, wherever possible, work in partnership with other local initiatives and businesses that also focus on the zero waste objective, such as the existing culture of upcycling within the many vintage and charity shops in Berwick - also, the Northern Soul Kitchen, that provides delicious, healthy meals from intercepted food.

• At a later stage, to research, initiate and develop the following strands of the Creative Zero Waste Vision & Strategy:

(a)  Other multi-purpose, flexible workshop spaces with storage to accommodate larger items of  community-owned equipment for workshop and individual use.

(b)  Waste material storage space for creative use, such as re-upcycling, redesign and repair of discarded items.

(c)  Up-cycling and reduction of local food waste, working with like-minded organisations such as Northern Soul Kitchen and local community food growing initiatives, plus our own Community Growing  Action Group.

(d)  Climate Advice, Information and Exhibition Space.