Peterborough Coffee Sack recycling Scheme!

Pav Patel (Peterborough Reuse), Steve Bowyer (Opportunity Peterborough), Andy Fawkes (Masteroast).

A recycling success in the environmental capital!

Peterborough Reuse visited Masteroast in April last year alongside Opportunity Peterborough and spoke to us about their plan to help the wider community and develop key skills that are largely forgotten in our throw away society. They were interested in the use of our hessian sacks which before then were mostly thrown away or used for display purposes, we agreed to provide the sacks free of charge and we have even made a purchase of 100 bags in recent months.

The Initiative has given local women the opportunity to learn new skills while working hours to suit them.

'This process has been reversed in a small way by Peterborough Reuse saving these discarded hessian coffee sacks and turning them into practical high-quality reusable bags while also adding a social and environmental benefit. The key element in this scheme which has set the path for the success of Peterborough Reuse is the team of women who have attended a six-week course at the Lqbal Community Centre where they learnt how to use a sewing machine, cut material and create the various shopping bags in the range. A third of the women now work from home - to fit around family commitments - on a part-time basis. Even the tag on the bag has a secondary use as a bookmark, this has the signature of the local lady that created the bag.

Masterminding the operation is Pav Patel, Director of Telecoms and IT solutions business. He explains "We have unfortunately become a throwaway society that finds it cheaper to buy new rather than make good things that are either too old or broken. This not only harms our environment but also reduces our ability to use the previous generation's practical skills of repair and restoration.

"18 Months in Business
30,000 bags saved from landfill
46 ladies with a new life skill
over 1,000 bags created!"

Pav says "In the 18 months we've been running we have rescued over 30,000 bags from landfill, taught 46 ladies a new life skill and made in excess of 1,000 shopping bags.

The hessian bag is also helping the local environment with the last order made by the Environment Agency. They will be using the sacks filled with dirt and vegetation to aid the embankment to take root.

Prices for the Peterborough Bag start at £2.50 and they're available online or at the Visitor Centre in Bridge Street. We encourage you to purchase a bag and help support the city.  

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A few of the Volunteers

A selection of finished bags

Opportunity Peterborough

Peterborough Reuse

Nene Living Publication