OBSOLETE promotional banners have been brought back into use by being sewn into shopping bags and document holders which will raise funds for a local charity.
Money raised by selling the out-of-date and now upcycled South Lakeland District Council (SLDC) banners will be donated to the charity Carer Support South Lakes.
The idea for the pilot project came from SLDC’s Anna Brisley, a project officer in Economic Development, who had seen similar bags made from Kendal Mountain Film Festival banners and saw the potential to do the same at SLDC.
Thirty bags have been made initially and they are available from reception at South Lakeland House in Kendal in return for a suggested donation of £5 per bag. They will also be available at the official opening of the revamped Abbot Hall Playground from 2pm to 4pm on Sunday (1 September) and at the SLDC stand at the Westmorland County Show on Thursday September 12.
Councillor Dyan Jones, Portfolio Holder for Climate Emergency and Localism, said: “This is a brilliant idea and it is great to see these out-of-use materials being made useful again – with the added bonus of a local charity benefiting from the donations.
“Recycling, upcycling, repairing and finding new uses for items is a great way to reduce waste and help conserve the planet’s resources.
“South Lakeland District Council this year passed a climate emergency motion. Every little helps in tackling that emergency and projects like this demonstrate how we can all play our part.”
The bags were produced by Yukari Endo Glasper, who runs La’al Upholstery in Kendal with her husband, Peter.
She said: “What you learn about upholstery is that a chair, for instance, can be old but the upholsterer can bring it back to life so it can be used for another 50 or 100 years. I like to work with things which already exist and make another life for it. These banners weren’t being used but they are capable of doing something else and being useful in another life.”
Small offcuts from the banners have been donated to the Ragtag Community Scrapstore in Kendal.
Marion Graveson from Carer Support South Lakes, said: “On behalf of Carers Support South Lakes can we give our heartfelt thanks to South Lakeland District Council. The upcycling or their banners into bags for life is an excellent way of making money which will be kindly donated to our charity.
“All the monies raised will support unpaid Carers of all ages throughout the South Lakes. If you would like to know about the work we do please visit our website www.carersupportsouthlakes.org.uk.”
