Cornish project gets thousands of pounds to reduce e-waste
A grant of £45,000 has been granted to Treverbyn Community Trust
A charity in Cornwall will receive thousands of pounds to help reduce e-waste.
The Treverbyn Community Trust has received a £45,000 grant from the Time After Time fund - which supports environmental projects across the country.
It is one of 10 national winners selected by a panel of sustainability experts - after their work to convert a van into a mobile electronics repair centre, which also collects unwanted electrical items from hard-to-reach areas across the county and redistribute them to people in need.
Nick Waitz, Development Officer of Treverbyn Community Trust, told us the main issue is the quick turnaround of electrical goods and disposing of them when they could still be of use.
He said: "We want the new bright shiny things, where, what we actually need is something that does enough for us and are built to last. It's fashion which often sees the new version come in when the old version is often perfectly serviceable."
Recent figures show 1 in 4 throw their unused devices in the bin, with 57% considering it the most convenient way, and 23% mistakenly thinking it is appropriate.
It means the UK produces more electrical waste per person than any other country in the world (except for Norway).
The research also reveals almost two thirds of consumers (62%) would donate unwanted tech to someone in need, rather than throwing it away, with more than 8 in 10 (82%) believing their community would be a better place to live if there were projects that prevented e-waste or fly-tipping in their area.
Nick continued: "The really lovely van will bring services of repair to the people who will welcome the chance to repair some electrical items to save that bill as well.
"This generous fund is enabling our mobile service to reach remote hamlets and villages. We'll bring tools, know-how and positivity to the issue of waste electricals. The most ecological items are the ones you own, let's keep them working!"
The project will involve local communities and Parish Councils in the China Clay area, and further afield, with the mobile Repair Café touring the area.
You can find more information about the Time After Time Fund, where community groups and charities can apply for a share of £500,000, for projects which tackle e-waste, on their website.