Shakespeare’s England is today (Friday March 18) marking Global Recycling Day and the start of English Tourism Week 2022 (Friday March 18 – Sunday March 27).
To celebrate, the Destination Management Organisation (DMO) for South Warwickshire and surrounding areas, is showcasing eco projects and cultural events focused on recycling across the region.
Glyn Slade, business development manager at Shakespeare’s England, attended the launch of a new sustainable project at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum.
Rugby First, in partnership with Rugby Borough Council and Rugby Unwrapped, unveiled a new reusable shopping bag and coffee cup made from recycled materials to promote Global Recycling Day. Both products were on sale in the marketplace on Friday March 18 between 11am and 4pm, and feature striking artwork by Destruction Arts - a collective of Rugby and Warwickshire artists. Every member of the public who bought a bag also received a free tree sapling to celebrate the occasion.
The eco-friendly bags are made from 70 per cent recycled cotton, using off cuts and waste cotton, blended with 30 per cent polyester, a recycled fabric made from plastic bottles. They will be on sale across Rugby for £4 at eco-friendly homeware store Izzy Loops, zero waste business Rugby Unwrapped, gift shop Etcetera, and the Visitor Centre. Each bulk order for the bags, placed by Rugby First, will see a tree planted by the supplier.
The 100 per cent biodegradable cup is made from rice husk and is available to buy from Rugby Visitor Centre for £10.
Jo Kemp, Rugby First Operations Director, said: “We are all very aware of the environmental challenges around plastic. Over the past few years’ huge efforts by businesses and individuals have seen a significant reduction in the amount used but there is still a long way to go.
“The production and promotion of the reusable bag and cup, although small steps are all part of a larger jigsaw, where each and every one of us can begin to make a difference to where we live, and how we think and behave.”
Glyn said: “Global Recycling Day coincides with the start of English Tourism Week and is the perfect opportunity to unearth some of the great unseen environmental projects going on across our own county to recycle and promote sustainability within the hospitality and tourism industry.
“Shakespeare’s England applaud this latest project launch by Rugby First on Global Recycling Day. Not only do they support the town’s economy and local artists but provide an ingenious use for recycled bottles and rice husks.”
Other eco-friendly recycling initiatives run by Shakespeare’s England members include a gin and rum refill scheme by Shakespeare Distillery in Stratford-upon-Avon. The distillery has also teamed up with Prices Spices to set up a new brand of homemade British charcuterie using botanical waste from their gin distillation. In addition, they offer out wooden pallets to residents or businesses for free upcycling.
Martin Brown, owner of Esquires, who runs two coffee shops in Stratford and Leamington Spa, operates a food-waste-avoidance scheme, Too Good to Go (https://toogoodtogo.co.uk/en-gb) where food is sold at a discount at the end of the day to the app’s subscribers, “often providing a welcome treat to families without much discretionary income”.
And on a cultural note, The Herbert Art Gallery and Museum in Coventry is currently showing Be Yourself; Everyone Else Is Already Taken by artist, designer and activist Daniel Lismore, a key advocate of sustainable fashion. His 3D sculptures involve the upcycling of materials, charity shop finds and vintage fabrics. For further information visit: https://culturespacecoventry.com/daniellismore
The RSC together with Forest of Hearts - a Stratford-based organisation which aims to produce ‘gardens for good’ – will also be opening a biodiverse eco area for reflection, health and wellbeing activities at Holy Trinity Church, Stratford-upon-Avon on Saturday April 23.
The Dell Forest Garden aims to increase biodiversity and will include flower beds in both The Dell and Avon bank Gardens, including a section featuring flowers mentioned in Shakespeare’s plays.
Inspired by the memorials in The Dell, the RSC has also commissioned artist Faye Claridge to create an outdoor art exhibition, Room for the Soul to create a magical outdoor lounge where plants and flowers overwhelm furniture, while lampshades and family portraits flutter in the trees overhead.
Forest of Hearts will lead free drop-in sessions on April 23 between 12-3.30pm in The Dell, sharing how everyone can increase biodiversity. Free, just turn up on the day.
English Tourism Week celebrates the contribution the tourism sector makes to the economy. It runs from Friday, March 18 until Sunday, March 27 and is this year dedicated to showing support for tourism businesses and destinations as they rebuild with the theme, Let’s Welcome.
PHOTO CAPTION: Marking Global Recycling Day (Friday, March 18): Glyn Slade, business development manager at Shakespeare’s England joins Rob Hallam Rugby First’s Clean and Safety Partnership Manager and town ranger with Silvia Mills, the Rugby Visitor Services Team Leader in launching Rugby First’s new eco-friendly reusable shopping bag and biodegradable cup made from recycled rice husk.