We’ve recently implemented a new ECO recycling scheme by partnering with local high schools to supply waste off-cut materials that students can repurpose and upcycle in creative, design and technology classes.
The schools we’ve partnered with so far are Mark Hall Academy, Burnt Mill Academy and Presdales Academy which are all local to our production sites in both Harlow, Essex and Thundridge, Herts.
Materials included in the initiative are fabrics, foam boards, cardboard, papers, and vinyls. Students are able to repurpose these materials, and design and make other products, as part of their school classes and projects.
The idea was formed and developed by our Operations Director at Harlow, Matt Walsh. He said “As a business we’re always looking for ways to be more sustainable and I really wanted to find a use for some of the materials that was left from the projects we create. Being able to upcycle waste materials in this way and have it form an important part of the curriculum for students in the local area seemed like a win-win for everyone involved.”
Mr Noel Lysons, Head of Art Design and Technology at Mark Hall Academy in Harlow said “The materials supplied through this scheme will allow students to model their designs and enable them to prototype and test ideas. The materials supplied are high quality and will mean that their models are a higher quality. The alternative is either using corrugated card which isn’t as easy to work with and isn’t great aesthetically. We will also be able to use these materials with younger students now because of the availability. We were unable to do this previously because the cost was prohibitive. We were paying approximately £12 for a box of 20 A4 sheets of foam board.”
This new upcycling initiative is something we plan to expand and offer to other educational institutions in the local area.
Graham Pitts, Group Managing Director said about the initiative “This is a fantastic initiative and a fine example of the investment in sustainability made by the KGK Genix team. It’s great to be able to give something back to the local areas in which our business operates.”