West Sussex WPAs: reduce, reuse, recycle!

Although David Cameron's notion of The Big Society appears to have disappeared down a big fat rabbit hole, there are those of us who still believe that its central concept--volunteers selflessly working together to make life better for everyone--is still a worthy enterprise. If you want an example of how that might work, look no further than the Games Makers at the London 2012 Olympics. An incredible bunch of people from every walk of life, united under a common cause, who managed to turn a brilliant event into an unforgettable one.
That example still inspires many today, although the group in today's piece are actually old hands at the volunteering game. West Sussex have been using squads of volunteers to get the word out about recycling in the local area since 2008.
The WPAs (Waste Prevention Advisors) can be found out and about at local fairs, fetes and festivals, and chatting to community groups. Their specialist education package Wastebusters sees the WPAs spread the good word in schools throughout West Sussex. Their message is simple: reduce, reuse, recycle.
The volunteers have been trained in presentation skills and health and safety through resources provided by Sussex University, giving them the confidence to share the important message about how we can all do our bit to save money and keep their part of the country that little bit greener and more pleasant.
Pier32 are in the mix too, providing the WPAs with polos, fleeces and rain jackets. The fleeces in particular fit the brief, as they're made from PET: recycled plastic water bottles. Looking good while spreading the word about recycling? It's something we do every day here at The Pier.
Check out the dedicated website at www.westsussexwpa.org.uk, where you can find out more about the programme, and read their dedicated blog Ask Annie. If you need to know about composting, Annie's your girl.

Pier32 supplied the WPAs with premium polo shirts from Fruit Of The Loom and Sirocco Windbreakers by B&C Collection.
http://www.pier32.co.uk/product/ss255-premium-polo/
http://www.pier32.co.uk/product/ss505-premium-polo/
http://www.pier32.co.uk/product/ba601-sirocco-windbreaker

Our recycled fleeces, (pictured) made by Okarma, are made entirely from PET, a material created by shredding and reweaving the plastic from used drinks bottles. 44 bottles go into one jacket. If you want one example of recycling done right, this is it.

http://www.pier32.co.uk/product/ok040-recycled-fleece/