Do eco-friendly DIY
Published: 29 Nov 2021
Paint
Community RePaint estimates that 50 million litres of paint which are sold in the UK each year go to waste.
It is thrown away or sits in garages and sheds.
One older report contains figures that estimate that the carbon footprint of one 5 litre can of a type of paint from a well know paint manufacturer was 13.58 kgCO2e (e = equivalent). When this report was written, and looking at all the unused cans of paint in circulation, this then equated to a massive 100,000 tonnes of CO2e.
Community RePaint is a UK wide paint reuse network which takes leftover paint and redistributes it to benefit individuals, families, communities and charities in need at an affordable cost.
If you have some spare paint knocking around or just need a bit for a small job, then do bear this scheme in mind, save yourself some money, support good causes and reduce your carbon footprint.
Timber
On a similar note the National Community Wood Recycling Project (NCWRP) was founded in 2003 to help set up and develop a nationwide network of wood recycling social enterprises. They save thousands of tonnes of wood from going to incineration or landfill every year thereby reducing emissions and reducing the need to import even more wood from overseas with all the inherent emissions associated with that too. They also provide valuable work experience for volunteers as well as helping people back into work.
If you are after some wood and have one of these places near you then how about supporting them rather than buying new wood?
Furniture
Pembrokeshire FRAME started way back in 1993 and collects and repurposes old furniture whilst giving valuable training and work experience opportunities to disadvantaged and disabled people. Homemakers in Abergavenny is another great example of a positive scheme that benefits people, local communities and the planet. It has 80 volunteers who all help to divert over 300 tonnes of waste from landfill each year by reusing and recycling.
If you have one of these sorts of schemes in your area and have some furniture you’d like to donate then do contact them.