The Coach House Trust’s
Recycling Project
This project pilots a number of recycling-based activities which have potential for our development as a Social Enterprise Company, while offering employment, training places (i.e. Into Work Glasgow), and client places
All of the recycling locations mentioned are specialized developments of “Nursery” activities incubated at The Coach House Trust and Belmont Lane (i.e. Greenhouse, gapsite restoration, bring site recycling, arts &craft classes, IT Classes, kitchen & catering etc.) These activities provide occupational, educational and employment opportunities for volunteers, clients, trainees and staff, and are ultimately designed to create sustainable and interconnected micro – enterprises in the field of Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
There are five areas of activity within the recycling project.
- Recycling project sub-activity A – Dawsholm Park -Dawsholm Recycling and Composting Pilot – related to the bring site in Belmont lane Site A - collection and storage of timber, stone and maturing compost and woodchip Site B – Thermophyllic windrow composting of green waste from parks and households
- Recycling project sub-activity B – Balmore Unit 8 - In –vessel Composting and Vermiculture In – vessel kitchen waste composting in big Hannah Vermiculture – the use of specialist worms to break down kitchen waste
- Recycling project sub- activity C- Balmore Unit 9 - Furniture Recycling Furniture restoration/ repair, design & build new products from seasoned timber and recycled wood
- Recycling project sub – activity D – Balmore Unit 10 - Timber Recycling and Kiln Drying Tree surgery, timber milling and seasoning and the development of bio fuel systems (woodchip)
- Recycling project sub-activity E – Arches 10 &11- Prototyping and Researching Products from Recyclates Multifunctional Research and Development workshops for crafts, wood products, moulding techniques and renewable energy products.
The philosophy behind the recycling project is based on the premis of where ”Environmental, Social and Economic Justice meet”. Our clients and trainees are offered the opportunity of a way forward into the mainstream community and labour market.
Community awareness raising – 23 community organisations from all over Scotland and North England have visited the projects for information, shared experience and advice.
School groups awareness raising – we have had 12 schools visiting from nursery to secondary, we also work closely with two schools in delivering recycling, vermiculture, polytunnel as growing medium for compost, herbs for healthy eating initiatives and using willow for creative structures i.e. storytelling bench. Brownie Packs, environmental groups, Parent / Teacher associations, resident/tenant associations and the hosting of Biodiversity Action Day with GCC . The Coach House Trust has contributed 3 chainsaw carved benches to the children’s play area in Dawsholm Park.
Meeting needs of local community – Our community bring site is used by the tenemental dwellings in the neighbourhood and we have involved 1650 households in the project since it started and approximately 4000 people involved in waste recycling, re-use or composting. Glasgow has a problem with tenemental housing and we feel our project offers a solution. Recycling brings people down Belmont Lane encouraging inclusion and interaction with our clients.
Partnership Working
Local Community Councils (3),
Glasgow City Council Parks & Facilities for green waste, timber collection and biodiversity (LBAPS)
The Veterinary School – research into in–vessel composting and meat by – products
SEPA – regulations and licences
Housing Associations – tenemental recycling
Marketing and sales
Our goods are marketed or sold through our retail outlet in Great Western Road as well as attracting contracts and commissions. We also use our website, newsletter and The West End Web (a local information site). We hold an annual Open Day to coincide with the West End Festival and this year we held an Environmental Fair in Kelvingrove Park. We had a publicity stand at the Gathering (SECC) and deliver talks at conferences/ seminars etc. On site demonstrations for visiting groups happen regularly (see above).