When is a soil box not a soil box?

Sunday 12 August 2018

Islanders have just a few days left to turn an old soil box into something creative, useful and environmentally friendly, as part of a local project run by the Acorn Reuse Centre and Channel 4’s ‘Salvage Sister’ Charis Williams.

The challenge is to repurpose a soil box, and Ms Williams is encouraging participants to use their imagination, incorporating reused and recycled items into their designs.

Acorn are partnered with the Jersey Employment Trust (JET), a local charity who help people with all forms of disability to find employment. 

Executive Officer, Jocelyn Butterworth, says she hopes that the challenge, "...will remind people about the possibilities of recycling." 

The Acorn Reuse Centre, which is Jersey’s largest social enterprise project, benefits the local environment by selling tonnes of unwanted items to be upcycled and reused. At the same time, the centre provides training and support for those who may otherwise been unable to find employment, and allows lower income families to buy reasonably priced used goods ready to be repurposed.

To take part in the competition, islanders can purchase a soil box for £5 from the Acorn Reuse Centre shop in Trinity, and post pictures of their finished product on Facebook, tagging the ‘Acorn Enterprises’ page, and then liking and sharing the page. The entry deadline is midnight on 31 August. 

The entries will be judged by Charis Williams, who featured on Channel 4 show ‘Fill Your House for Free’ and is known for the quirky products that she creates using salvaged materials. 

The first rule to salvaging? .
Bright hair so if you get lost people can find you!
.
Here I am loving a #scavenge at my local metal #recycling plant Richardson & Son’s in #Brighton What are you doing today? .#Photo by Stuart Grimwood … https://t.co/SfYTdrgW6g pic.twitter.com/VyYjgVdODV

— Charis Williams (@CharisWilliams) August 9, 2018

She worked with clients of JET in a workshop last week to launch the challenge. The winner, to be announced on Facebook, will be awarded with a trophy that Ms Williams made using an old brake disk from her motorbike.   

Pictured: Ms Williams working with a JET client in the Acorn Reuse Centre workshop 

JET Executive Officer Jocelyn Butterworth said: "The Reuse Centre is a treasure trove of items which can be given a new lease of life in someone’s home."