Wastesmiths C.I.C.

We’re really excited to announce…

We are finalists in The William Sutton Prize in Clarion Housing Group’s 125th anniversary year!

Our project in contention to win this incredible prize perfectly encapsulates the extra that Social Enterprises bring to the world.

Why get a contractor to install a planter when you could commission of social enterprise to work with a community to create a Populated Planter?

Populated Planters are all about working with communities to turn their domestic waste plastic, especially things like bottle lids that may not get recycled, into planters for shared social space. The waste plastic is transformed into beams with the help of the community in the social space that the planter will occupy. The beauty of the beams is that they can be used to build planters of all shapes and sizes to perfectly fit the needs of the community and the space.

What’s more, if the community has lots of families with young children then the planters could be low with interactive elements to play with… or if the community has an older demographic then the planter could incorporate a bench for connecting with nature and contemplating the day.

In all honesty the planter and the plastic processes are merely the vessel for the really exciting bit. The social enterprise extra bit. Gathering people and fostering a sense of ownership over a shared social space. The innovation is really the invitation and the facilitation. The extra is increasing the sense of belonging and connection within the community.

We are humbled to see we’re up against some extraordinary competition in the Connected Communities part of the prize:
Steel Warriors
GoodGym
Neighbourly Lab
Neya
Motivez

Watch this space. The winner will be announced on Thursday 25th September at a special event.