Don't skip it - save the scraps!
A throwaway comment from a Telford & Wrekin Council Officer has led to a small business in the borough significantly reducing the amount of waste it throws away.
In addition to helping the environment by meeting its recycling target, ‘Magiboards’, is also helping the community which is putting to good use the scraps of fabric that used to end up in a skip.
The company, based in Stafford Park, Telford manufactures whiteboards and noticeboards. During a factory tour to discuss apprenticeship grants, the Council’s Business Advisor (Skills Specialist) based at The Marches Growth Hub, Telford & Wrekin, asked what happened to the remnants.
Louise Harding said: “I was looking at ways of getting the scraps to schools for them to use in classroom artwork. ‘Magiboards’ thought it was a great idea and, after making some enquiries, I put them in touch with a charity based in Church Stretton called ‘Scrappies’ which supports creative arts and children’s education. The charity now picks up the leftovers for free, uses them for workshops and distributes them to schools.”
‘Magiboards’ Director Angela van der Stap said: “We are constantly looking at ways to recycle and reduce waste. Obviously making noticeboards we have a lot of off-cuts and end of rolls. We used to throw them into a skip. Now, thanks to this idea, we save on the cost of skipping and we have improved on our recycling, which is wonderful.
“And it’s a nice feeling that we are helping others. We are giving away something for free that people are using and that’s a ‘win-win’ situation.”
Lesley McKnight from ‘Scrappies’ said: “Scrappies are delighted to be working closely with 'Magiboards'. We rely on the donations of clean, safe materials to resource our Creative Arts & Children's Education Programme at our store in Church Stretton: www.scrappies.org and our workshop programmes."
If you would like to donate your leftover material to Scrappies, call 01694 328 508, email: info@scrappies.org or visit www.scrappies.org/
If you are a small business looking to employ an apprentice, The Enterprise Telford Team operating from The Marches Growth Hub, Telford and Wrekin and a Skills Specialist can support you through the whole process. Application forms and further details can be obtained by emailing apprenticeshipgrant@telford.gov.uk , or calling 01952 567 589
Enterprise Telford is Telford & Wrekin Council's 'business winning, business supporting' campaign. Through the Marches Growth Hub, we offer enterprises of all sectors and sizes a single point of access to information, guidance and business support.
For more information about ‘Magiboards’ visit www.magiboards.com/
