PROJECT DESCRIPTION
BACKGROUND
Repurpose focused on addressing one of the EUs key environmental challenges, waste. The project was developed in response to the flagship initiative A resource-efficient Europe under the EU2020 strategy and translates its commitments into a transferable approach for establishing locally developed, enterprise-led solutions for re-use in social housing contexts. The UK, in common with all other EU member states, has placed the responsibility for collection and management of waste on local and regional government. Over the last twenty or so years, this role has moved from one of simple waste collection to the introduction of recycling services and, latterly, an increased focus on re-use and waste prevention. This has been delivered with varying degrees of success, with one particularly challenging area being the provision of such services in high and low rise housing estates.
OBJECTIVES
The Repurpose project supported residents to create their own social enterprises, turning redundant spaces into re-use hubs to collect, store and repair bulky re-use items and provide alternatives to fly tipping. This was complemented by an in-depth engagement and behaviour change programme to tackle the root causes of fly-tipping and encourage positive environmental action. The objectives were as follows: 1. Increased levels of re-use of bulky items in target estates
RESULTS
Repurpose provided a new approach to the collection and management of waste. It supported residents in creating their own social enterprises, turning redundant spaces into re-use hubs to collect, store and repair bulky re-use items and provide alternatives to fly tipping. This was complemented by an in-depth engagement and behaviour change programme to tackle the root causes of fly-tipping and encourage positive environmental action. Viable hubs were created in five estates of differing characteristics. This has enabled the project team to create an Implementation Guide that is extremely flexible and that can be replicated in other locations. The project achieved a number of excellent results. These include: Increased levels of re-use of bulky items in target estates: The project collected 6868 items, a total of 98 tonnes, for reuse thus preventing it from entering landfill. This translates as 53.8 tCO2e of carbon savings (assuming 1.01 tonnes CO2 per tonne of furniture and 3.57 tonnes CO2/tonne of appliances). Reduced incidences of fly-tipping on target estates: 72% of items collected were donated from residents and therefore, there was no incentive or need to dispose of via fly-tipping. Fly-tipping monitoring indicates an average 19% reduction (range 16-40%) across three of the estates. Increased skills and income for community groups on target estates: 3416 residents were involved in 105 events and 349 residents were trained through 61 skills workshops. 79 volunteers were also engaged on the projects and seven paid job roles were created. One of the projects key strengths were the socioeconomic benefits it created. They include a strong engagement programme with residents, housing partners and the wider waste industry; enhanced social inclusion and community engagement through events and volunteering including vulnerable groups; the creation of jobs; and a reduce in demand on housing association resources, hardship funds and resident income. An overall estimate of almost 700,000 in social value has been made on benefits accrued to date. Furthermore, the behaviour change programme demonstrated a shift in attitude for engaged residents with regards to re-use, recycling and fly-tipping. 68% of those residents involved in the project reported that they now "reuse more, throw fewer items away, fly-tip less and recycle more". Furthermore, housing partners and landlords have become more aware of and focused of the issues of bulky waste and fly-tipping. Repurpose also inputted into local and London-wide environmental waste reduction policy through its stakeholder engagement and Steering Group activity and network. It directly addressed and supported three key pieces of European Legislation: The Landfill Directive; The Waste Framework Directive Article 11 section (2)(a); and the Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment Directive. The re-use hubs created are being continued into the legacy period and housing partners are committed to sustaining and mainstreaming them. Replication has already been initiated in new London boroughs and the project's high quality guidance resources should facilitate further uptake in the future. Further information on the project can be found in the project's layman report and After-LIFE Communication Plan (see "Read more" section).
