M42 scheme recycling drive benefits local communities
A recycling drive by the team behind National Highways’ M42 junction 6 scheme is seeing local communities benefit in surprising ways from repurposed items from the construction site.
A recycling drive by the team behind National Highways’ M42 junction 6 scheme is seeing local communities benefit in surprising ways from repurposed items from the construction site.
Playtime is now a lot more fun for residents at the nearby Birmingham Dogs’ Home while a Solihull school can boast its own forest school thanks to the project team’s efforts to reduce waste.
Cable drums, water butts, piping and used kitchen appliances are just a few of the items being reused by local organisations and schools thanks to the policy.
National Highways Project Manager on the M42 Junction 6 scheme, Adam Gallis said, “We have a strong commitment to finding ways to reuse our waste and donate equipment that is no longer needed and it’s fantastic to see the local community benefitting at the same time.”
Over £600-worth of construction materials, including a water butt, pipes and cones, have found a new home at Forest Oak School in Solihull where a school forest garden is being built.
The new facility is a magical place where children get to learn outside, explore nature, and enjoy hands-on activities. It’s especially important for pupils with special educational needs, giving them a safe, exciting space to grow, play, and learn.
A team of National Highways volunteers even attended the school to help transform new materials into features like a new mud kitchen, log seating and a tipi.
Over at Birmingham Dogs Home playtime just got a bit more exciting thanks to the inclusions of used wooden cable drums and piping worth £400 which have been repurposed as part of the enrichment and agility areas.
Areika Bickerton, Head of Operations, Birmingham Dogs Home said: “We’re so grateful for the donation, which provide great opportunities for play, balance, and confidence building, helping the dogs stay active and engaged during their time with us.”
Bentley Heath Community Centre were delighted to receive a number of surplus road cones worth £40 which have helped with parking management and safety needs, especially for larger events and during essential maintenance.
And refreshment time at Knowle and Dorridge Cricket Club just got a lot cooler thanks to a donated site office fridge which will be used by the junior cricket team from drinks and snacks.
Finally Meriden Adventure Playground, an immersive play and youth work space in Chelmsley Wood, which also provides a community resource bank and support with meals, clothes and uniform for deprived family received pipes and timber stakes for their playground and microwaves and fridges for families attending the centre for stay and play activities. The items are valued at £830.
Over £2000-worth of goods were donated in total with the help of community digital platform called Match by Project, which connects businesses with grassroot community organisations.
Fozia Fazil Social Value Manager from National Highways’ delivery partner Skanska said,
“By reusing items, we prevent them from ending up in landfills, which helps to conserve natural resources and reduce the environmental impact of waste disposal.”
Work continues on the M42 junction 6 this winter and National Highways and Skanska will continue to look for recycling and volunteering opportunities.
More information about upcoming works can be found on the scheme webpage here:
https://nationalhighways.co.uk/our-roads/west-midlands/m42-junction-6
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