PEARLS receives funding for reuse project

Chrissy Cartledge from PEARLS, Tina Wright from PEARLS, Councillor Neil Swannick, Chair of GMWDA and Councillor Rosemary Jones, Chair of the Community Waste Fund panel

Greater Manchester Waste Disposal Authority (GMWDA) has announced that PEARLS Community Scrap Store will receive funding to develop a project to help reduce, re-use and recycle more of Greater Manchester’s waste.

PEARLS (Play, Education, Arts, Reusables and Lending Service) collects interesting materials and objects from business and industry, supplying low cost stationary, arts and crafts materials for educational and community purposes.

The funding will enable PEARLS to expand re-use activities and find new business contacts for donations.

The Community Waste Fund application was launched in September 2010 and there was an overwhelming response from the community and voluntary sector, who submitted some fantastic and innovative ideas.

GMWDA selected community organisations who wanted to get involved in shaping and delivering much needed waste and recycling initiatives in their community, and PEARLS fitted this brief.

Tina Wright from PEARLS said: “We are delighted with the grant and are keen to expand how we gather the materials for children’s play and education, which would otherwise go to landfill. It is great that we can continue to promote re-use and recycling and help people understand that items in the waste stream can be used as a resource.”

Chrissy Cartledge from PEARLS added: “Our aim is to make a real difference to community organisations that need resources and to do this we would like to encourage donations from businesses and industry. The message to remember is, don’t throw it way, give it to play.”

Councillor Neil Swannick, Chair of GMWDA commented: “Each organisation demonstrated clearly its commitment to reducing waste and the funding will hopefully help them go that extra mile to do so. Supporting the community and voluntary sector in this way is another step towards our aim of zero waste to landfill, which is not only important for the environment, but it will also save Council Tax payers money each year in Landfill Tax.”

Councillor Rosemary Jones, who is Chair of the Community Waste Fund panel said: “The grant is a way of recognising innovative ideas and a creative approach to help minimise waste and to make a difference to local communities. There were so many worthy ideas submitted and it was wonderful to see such motivated community groups, who are dedicated to helping the environment and local people. It is a pleasure to support them.”

Six community groups were chosen which vary from furniture restoration to bike re-use. The projects are all based in Greater Manchester and stand out as excellent examples of best practice.