October is Ireland’s National Reuse Month; National Reuse Month is all about accessing the skills and tools to reuse more in every aspect of our lives. Reusing avoids the need to extract raw materials, manufacture and distribute new stuff, and avoids waste – all of which cut down on greenhouse gas emissions.
By prioritising repair and reuse this October we can all make a difference. Why not make a commitment to reuse as many things as possible to save the environment this October. Why not try to buy second hand, upcycle something, borrow, swap and refill? For example, you may already reuse by getting shoes resoled rather than replacing them, or by borrowing books from your local library.
Speaking at the launch of Waterford’s events for Reuse Month 2021, Deputy Mayor of Waterford, Cllr. Seanie Power said, “Reuse is simple, it’s about valuing our stuff, by using and reusing it for as long and as often as possible. At times we forget to consider where things came from or went to after we use them, never mind the environmental consequences of using up primary resources and dumping waste.”
Also present at the launch, Ella Ryan, Environmental Awareness Officer, Waterford City and County Council added, “Throughout October we invite everyone, whether a school, sports club, community group or business, to join us for Reuse Month. Maybe you want to host an event, attend a workshop or take part in a competition. We have initiatives to suit everyone this year, from how to encourage reuse and cut out disposable plastics at your sports club or school to upcycling everything from fashion to furniture.”
Upcoming local events include:
- 11.30am, 7th October 2021: Refill workshop for Secondary Schools
- 7pm, 13th October 2021: Fashion and the Environment workshop for teachers
- 7pm, 19th October 2021: Conscious Cup workshop for businesses, Tidy Towns groups and others
- 7pm, 21st October 2021: Furniture Upcycling workshop with Marianne of The Revamp Tramp. This introduction to Furniture Upcycling Workshop will start with how to prepare furniture for upcycling and detail all the materials that are needed. The techniques will include painting the furniture and achieving a beautiful spray-like finish. Decoupage using napkins and wallpaper will be demonstrated. Different options on revamping hardware will also be run through.
- 10am, 2nd November 2021: Sustainable Living is a 2 hour workshop that helps people find easy and enjoyable ways to move towards more sustainable living. The course is interactive and covers 3 craft topics so people can make their own soap, make their own wax wraps and make their own biodegradable pots by the end of the session. With Aoife Munn, Environmentalist and Horticulturist with a focus on sustainability through practical learning.
- Also this Reuse Month: Sports Club Competition – for more information on how to reduce plastics at your sport club
Full details of all of these events can be found in the Environment Section at www.waterfordcouncil.ie or to find out more about Reuse Month visit www.mywaste.ie/reuse-month/
MyWaste is challenging us all to unearth the imagination within and create something new out of something old…to breathe new life into an old or unwanted item or material. So if you can find something old and renovate it or turn it into something completely different but still usable then you can enter the Upcycle Challenge at https://www.mywaste.ie/upcycle-challenge21/
