This National Recycling Week (10-16 November), the theme "Rescue Me!" is a powerful reminder that many items we throw away as rubbish are actually valuable resources waiting to be rescued and reused.
From batteries to clothing and broken electronics, everyday items can be diverted from landfill and given a second life through recycling, reuse or repair.
But it doesn’t stop there.
Some less obvious items can also be recycled in creative ways. Take Turbine Made, an initiative by renewable energy company ACCIONA. They teamed up with Draft Surf to turn decommissioned turbine blades into surfboards.
Here’s how they did it:
- The blades were ground into a fine particulate and used in the surfboard’s construction.
- Recycled blade strips were built into the deck for added strength and flexibility.
- The fins were made from recycled fibreglass.
Watch the video: Turbine Made – Surfboards from Wind Blades
Remember: Waste is not waste unless you waste it.
Here are simple steps that you can take:
- Recycle right: Know what can and can’t go in your recycling bins to ensure materials are properly processed.
- Reduce waste: Choose reusable items like water bottles and lunch boxes.
- Reuse first: Repair or repurpose before discarding.
- Spread the word: Share recycling tips with friends, family, and colleagues.
- Find resources: Visit Planet Ark for ideas and campaign information.
Let’s work together to rescue resources from waste and build a more sustainable future - one item at a time.