Upcycling competition a huge success

ABERDEEN NEWS - The residents recently participated in an upcycling competition where competitors had to showcase useful items that they produced from whatever they could find at the local dumpsite.

Sterna Thwaites, the organiser of the competition, explains that the idea behind the competition was to raise awareness around the "recycle, upcycle and repurpose" of waste material by transforming it into new products.

"The environmental benefits of upcycling are immense. It is a refreshing solution to the problem of waste as it reduces the amount of waste that ends up at local dumpsites and in landfills. It also reduces the need for the production of new products which, in turn, reduces air and water pollution and greenhouse gas emissions, and it often conserves natural resources by minimising the need for raw materials to produce new products.

The cash prizes for the Aberdeen Upcycling Competition were sponsored by Umelda van Rensburg (Superstore), Hantie Marx, Lizzie van der Merwe (Hope Centre), Hennie Helberg (CNC Industries), Colleen and Dick Ogilvie and Sterna Thwaites. Many others contributed to the success of this great initiative. Four of the sponsors also had the honour – and very difficult task – of judging the items based on what participants managed to retrieve from the dumpsite.

Upcycling requires a lot of creativity and a DIY attitude – something that the 14 participants who managed to produce and enter 25 products did not fall short of. Even single-use items were given a fabulous new life.

Winners

The first prize was awarded to Alex Lombaard who produced a lamp and the second prize to Ian Reed who produced a lampshade. Avril Smith with her rocket stove and Michael Plaatjies with his solar oven shared the third prize.

Special prizes were awarded to Chantal Brummer for her artwork produced from tins and Cathleen Thackwray who produced items from plastic bags.

Every participant received handmade medals and goody bags supplied by Superstore. The prize-giving was hosted at the Hope Centre.

Aberdeen residents are hoping to include the upcycling competition as a regular event in their yearly calendar and to cultivate a culture of upcycling in their community.

Ian Reed with his lampshade made from single-use plastic.