KGK Genix is partnering with local high schools to supply waste off-cut materials.
Students can repurpose and upcycle it in their creative, design and technology classes.
KGK Genix has formed an upcycling partnership with three high schools. Mark Hall Academy, Burnt Mill Academy and Presdales Academy. They are all local to KGK Genix production sites in both Harlow, Essex and Thundridge, Herts.
Students are able to repurpose these materials and design and make other products as part of their school classes and projects. Materials included in the initiative are fabrics, foam boards, cardboard, papers, and vinyls.
A great idea to reduce waste
The initial idea came from Matt Walsh, Operations Director at KGK Genix Harlow. He said, “As a business, we’re always looking for ways to be more sustainable. I really wanted to find a use for some of the materials that were left from the projects we created. Being able to upcycle waste materials in this way and have it form an important part of the curriculum for students in the local area seemed like a win-win for everyone involved.”
Mr Noel Lysons, Head of Art Design and Technology at Mark Hall Academy in Harlow, said, “Materials supplied through this scheme allow students to model their designs and enable them to prototype and test ideas. The materials supplied are high quality, which means their models are of higher quality. The alternative is either to use a corrugated card which isn’t as easy to work with and isn’t great aesthetically. We will also be able to use these materials with younger students now. The school was unable to do this previously because the cost was prohibitive. We were paying approximately £12 for a box of 20 A4 sheets of foamboard.”
This new upcycling initiative is something which KGK Genix plan to expand and offer to other educational institutions in the local area.
Graham Pitts, Group Managing Director said about the initiative, “This is a fantastic initiative and a fine example of the investment in sustainability made by the KGK Genix team. It’s great to be able to give something back to the local areas in which our business operates.”
