COMMUNITY
Welcome – Thirteen upcycling coordinator Rhys Baker , recycling centre manager Helen Beaman and upcycling operative Katie Forde .
“ Thirteen is aiming to reduce our waste by 95 per cent and this proactive approach to reducing , reusing , and recycling unwanted items will be a huge boost to our efforts .”
With an important part to play in helping to achieve this target , Thirteen has set its ambition to reach net zero carbon by 2035 on its direct business emissions .
The facility , which is the first of its kind among northern housing associations , has seen the upcycling team transform the warehouse from an empty storage space to a workshop stocked with a wealth of material , upholstery , soft furnishings area and a woodwork and metal workshop . It even has a photography section , to take professional snaps of the houseware for customers .
Alongside the furniture store , there ’ s a community resource and classroom . The team have welcomed many school children and community groups to the upcycling centre and the waste site to learn about reducing waste and what they can do to play their part in protecting the environment . The team have also created an outside learning space , which has not only improved the biodiversity of this once sterile industrial site , but also provides a chance to learn from Thirteen ’ s environmental experts . Features such as a wildlife pond , bug mansion , beehives and bird and bat boxes have been added and the team are also developing a “ grow your own ” area , complete with chickens , to demonstrate sustainable food production and highlight the issues of food waste .
Rhys , a photography and art teacher for almost 20 years before working in special needs and the charities sector , was attracted to the role at Thirteen as it offered the chance to help people in genuine need .
He said : “ People often leave items behind in our empty properties when they move on and some of it is prime for upcycling . We take it , clean it , then add the materials , repairs and love that is required to give it a new lease of life .”
The upcycling team is also creating “ starter packs ” for customers , with essential items for those who need a little extra help to get their tenancies started comfortably from day one .
“ It is estimated that 400,000 children in the UK do not have their own bed , and beds and wardrobes are by far the most requested item . We have provided beds , sofas , chairs , dressers , tables and things that may be classed as ‘ non-essential ’, like mirrors , soft furnishings and pictures .
Things that really make a house a home .”
Katie , a creative graduate from the Chelsea College of Art , who is passionate about making a positive difference to the lives of customers , had been working in e-commerce before joining Thirteen .
She said : “ To take something that was clearly once loved and restore it to a point that it can be used again is incredibly satisfying .
“ We have upcycled furniture that is beautiful , functional , absolutely ancient and practically new , but every bit of it has left our warehouse destined for someone whose life it will improve and with the added benefit of it not ending up in landfill .”
The recycling centre has been a very ambitious and exciting project which has grown over the last couple of years , but one that is very close to everyone ’ s hearts at Thirteen , giving the company the ability to control its own waste and its processing . Thirteen is now looking forward to working with businesses that could help support this initiative .
The voice of business in the Tees region | 63