New networks of material reuse & repair
what would it take to make reuse a social and civic activity?
Attempts to make waste handling as efficient as possible often concentrate on the speed at which our rubbish can be put out of sight and out of mind. Neglecting to create a collective concsiousness around waste creates a feedback loop where we throw more and more away, at greater and greater cost.
Investing just a fraction of this cost into new waste strategies could unlock the potential of waste as a resource for the community
Through their new profession, the neighbourhood caretaker brings some much needed joined-up thinking to suburban maintenance
The team of 45 caretakers leads the way in rolling out new infrastructures of care across the borough:
This piecemeal approach to infrastructural development means residents are able to have a say in changes as they go along. Investments can be made gradually until every resident is within walking distance of an easy reuse opportunity
For the Goodmayes area, the next few years might look something like this – or something entirely different – depending on how a pilot scheme pans out.
The grey, car-dominated landscapes of our current suburban streets can be gradually transformed by putting people and plants before petrol
Reclaim centres replace the dangerous Chigwell dump and allow residents to pick up materials discarded by others as well as dropping off their own unwanted items
Repair centres provide a safe space to learn and practice new skills of care and maintenance, while meeting other local people doing the same thing
With so many public facilities helping residents reuse and repair, the private realm of the house also stands to benefit from renovations with these materials. These could include external insulation, rainwater harvesting, composting toilets and gardening materials.
A new palette of natural and biodegradeable cladding choices means residents can customise their homes like they always have, but save on monthly bills at the same time as cutting carbon emissions.
If we play our cards right, our streets could look like this by the year 2027!
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WHEN CAN WE START?
