The event contains a range of items which are made from recycled materials. The products include bags made from tube seat covers, a fleece jacket made from recycled plastic and bricks and chairs made from glass. The exhibition is targeted at all Londoners, but the GLA hopes that it will also attract designers, manufacturers and the construction industry who will be able to see the advantages of using recycled products.
The GLA believes that the exhibition will help to reduce London’s waste problem which it says will “reach unmanageable levels unless more recycling and waste management initiatives are undertaken”.
Speaking at the exhibition launch, committee chair, Samantha Heath, said: “I am sure when people see the many fascinating and innovative products on display it will encourage them to buy recycled goods and recycle more at home. London’s waste is a key resource.”
She added that many Londoners want to recycle but called for the facilities to be convenient and easy to use and said that waste should be collected regularly from their door-steps.
In 1998/99, London councils collected four million tonnes of municipal waste, three quarters of which came from households and only 7% was recycled.
The exhibition, “Rewarding Recycling”, is being held at the Greater London Authority’s Visitor Centre, Romney House, Marsham Street, London SW1P 3PY. It is open to the public weekdays from May 23 to June 29.
One waste and recycling commentator told letsrecycle.com that they were dubious as to the likely success of the exhibition. “Many of the materials are not easy to buy and there seems to be a focus on items which are closer to modern art than the real world.”
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