Eradicating litter and waste: The Co-star Partnership

The CoStar Partnership is a grassroots charity based in Cwmbran, dedicated to supporting and enhancing the local community. With a range of services aimed at residents on restricted incomes, the CoStar Partnership offers social opportunities, creative courses, and essential resources like food and clothing banks – all powered by dedicated local volunteers with strong ties to the community.

One of their flagship initiatives is the Community Waste Recycling Days, which aim to reduce fly-tipping, promote recycling and reuse, and support sustainable living.

Since they started, the Community Waste Recycling Days – days on which skips are provided for local residents to use – waste disposal habits in Cwmbran have changed for the better. Volunteers sort items put into the skps, ensuring reusable items find new homes, recyclables are appropriately processed, and only non-recoverable waste is discarded.

This initiative has not only reduced the prevalence of fly-tipping in local green spaces but has also fostered a culture of reuse and sharing within the community. Volunteers play a key role in redistributing desirable or essential items, including furniture, tools, and household goods, to residents in need, particularly those in shared supported accommodations.

The project supports other local charitable efforts as well:

Tools for Self-Reliance Cymru refurbishes and sells donated tools to fund its international projects.

Circulate Furniture Recycling collects and repurposes furniture for local redistribution.

Roberts Recycling’s Dragon Bags Scheme turns textiles into resources for further use.

The community paint reuse scheme – another CoStar Partnership initiative, offers surplus paint at reduced costs to local residents and organisations, encouraging further sustainability practices.

In recognition of their innovative approach to waste reduction and community support, the CoStar Partnership won the Circular Economy Innovation Award at the Tidy Wales Awards 2024.

The recycling days have garnered widespread community appreciation. Residents report increased understanding of rehoming opportunities for unwanted items and have expressed gratitude for the immediate improvements these programs bring to their lives.

"The income from refurbished tools helps ensure we are mostly self-funding. It's wonderful to see items reused and appreciated locally before they're sent abroad"
Jeff Thomas Tools for Self-Reliance Cymru Trustee

"Living in a shared supported accommodation, the furniture and utensils are minimal. These items mean we can sit in the garden as a household and enjoy the outdoors rather than taking turns!"
Terry 'TJ' Jones Co-star volunteer

The CoStar Partnership has also built strong community ties by becoming one of Keep Wales Tidy’s Litter Picking Hubs, promoting litter picking and waste reduction, alongside their Food and Clothing Bank, which offers vital support to residents facing financial hardship.

In fostering a culture of recycling, repurposing, and community engagement, the CoStar Partnership’s efforts demonstrate how small, volunteer-driven organisations can make a big impact on sustainability and community well-being.

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