Ballymun Rediscovery Centre

Ballymun, Dublin 11

The concept of the Rediscovery Centre in Ballymun was developed in response to the growing national and international concern in relation to the management of natural resources and waste. Ballymun Regeneration Limited (BRL) pioneered a move away from traditional methods of waste management, such as landfill and recycling, towards projects that result in an overall reduction in waste production through effective waste prevention initiatives, better resource efficiency and sustainable consumption patterns. The Rediscovery Centre presents an integrated solution encompassing all elements of the waste management hierarchy (reduce, re-use, recycle, recover, landfill) at a central level. It also strives to incorporate social sustainability dimensions. The Rediscovery Centre is designed to best practice and excellent environmental standards. A number of pilot projects are running and information is currently being disseminated through a website.

School Workshop

The interactive learning workshops focus on the environmental impact of waste management and support the development of key analytical skills such as observation, monitoring and interpretation. Students are introduced to the main options for avoiding, reusing, recycling and recovering waste.

(c) Comhar Sustainable Development Council

School Workshop
(c) Comhar Sustainable Development Council

School Workshop

The interactive learning workshops focus on the environmental impact of waste management and support the development of key analytical skills such as observation, monitoring and interpretation. Students are introduced to the main options for avoiding, reusing, recycling and recovering waste.

(c) Comhar Sustainable Development Council

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Discovery Primary Science (DPS)

In 2006, the Rediscovery Centre was accredited as a Discover Science Centre under the National Discover Primary Science initiative. Schools who participate in Rediscovery Centre workshops gain credit towards achieving an Award of Science Excellence. The interactive learning workshops focus on the environmental impact of waste management and support the development of key analytical skills such as observation, monitoring and interpretation. Students are introduced to the main options for avoiding, reusing, recycling and recovering waste. Four Rediscovery Centre education workbooks have been developed as a teaching aid for teachers. In the future, one day teacher training events will be held, presenting the activities to school teachers for integration into the science curriculum. Funding is being sought to expand the programme upon relocation to the new Rediscovery Centre and to develop a Secondary School strand.

Ballymun Community Composting Project

In 2008, BRL completed a 30 month research project investigating barriers to, and solutions for, increasing the use of community scale composting in Ireland. The project was carried out in partnership with the National Botanic Gardens and was funded under the EPA Environmental Research Technological Development and Innovation (ERTDI) Programme. A key aspect of the project was the development of a community composting project. A Big Hanna T-120 in-vessel aerobic composting system processes the putrescible waste from approximately 100 households in Santry Cross. Compost produced is analysed by Bord na Mona to confirm premium quality and is being used in growth trials at the National Botanic Gardens aimed at promoting biowaste compost use.  Compost is also used in Gardening projects throughout Ballymun.

Ballymun Recycling Project

Since its inception the project has developed as a successful social and environmental initiative. As well as providing new homes for furniture otherwise destined for landfill the project provides valuable training and experience for people returning to the workplace.

(c) Comhar Sustainable Development Council

Ballymun Recycling Project
(c) Comhar Sustainable Development Council

Ballymun Recycling Project

Since its inception the project has developed as a successful social and environmental initiative. As well as providing new homes for furniture otherwise destined for landfill the project provides valuable training and experience for people returning to the workplace.

(c) Comhar Sustainable Development Council

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Furniture Recycling Project

The Furniture Recycling Project was established in Ballymun as a partnership between Ballymun Regeneration Limited and a local employment group, Poppintree Environmental Project. The project accepts donations of old furniture, which is designed and restored by the Rediscovery Centre furniture recycling project team, and sold online, at environmental events and at the Ballymun Farmers Market. Since its inception the project has developed as a successful social and environmental initiative. As well as providing new homes for furniture otherwise destined for landfill the project provides valuable training and experience for people returning to the workplace. In addition to learning practical skills in furniture restoration, woodwork, upholstery, data collection and customer service, project staff have also completed certified training in first aid, manual handling and FAS safe pass.   The project produces low cost, high quality restored furniture for sale and has supplied Dublin City Council Social Supports Section with quality items for use in temporary or emergency accommodation.

Rediscover Fashion

Despite being a relatively easy waste stream to reuse and recycle, an estimated 93% of all textile waste in Ireland is sent to landfill. The aim of the ‘Rediscover Fashion’ project is to demonstrate the potential for textiles recycling, reuse and recovery in Ireland and highlight the environmental, social and economic benefits.

(c) Comhar Sustainable Development Council

Rediscover Fashion
(c) Comhar Sustainable Development Council

Rediscover Fashion

Despite being a relatively easy waste stream to reuse and recycle, an estimated 93% of all textile waste in Ireland is sent to landfill. The aim of the ‘Rediscover Fashion’ project is to demonstrate the potential for textiles recycling, reuse and recovery in Ireland and highlight the environmental, social and economic benefits.

(c) Comhar Sustainable Development Council

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Rediscover Fashion

In 2007 the Rediscovery Centre began a project to address growing concerns within the fashion and textiles industry, relating to the environmental and social impact of extraction and production processes and clothing air miles. Despite being a relatively easy waste stream to reuse and recycle, an estimated 93% of all textile waste in Ireland is sent to landfill. The aim of the ‘Rediscover Fashion’ project is to demonstrate the potential for textiles recycling, reuse and recovery in Ireland and highlight the environmental, social and economic benefits. The project seeks to raise the profile of recycled, reconstructed and repurposed clothing, and like all of the Centre’s resource recovery projects, urges everyone to rediscover the value of waste. The project raises the profile of recycled, reconstructed and repurposed clothing by education and hands on training programmes in Ballymun. The project produces a 100% recycled clothing line which is sold on-line, at fashion shows and environmental events. A main street shop will also open shortly in Ballymun. Rediscover Fashion is the first fashion initiative in Ireland, which engages with the local community on global issues relating to the environmental impact of the fashion and textile industry. The project encourages action through creativity. It provides training and employment, reduces the environmental impact of waste disposal and creates revenue stream from the sale of a 100% recycled & ethical clothing line. Being a not for profit project, all revenue gained is reinvested for training and materials.

Community Repaint

The Community Repaint is an award winning network of over 65 community based paint reuse projects stretching from Cornwall to Belfast and now to Dublin. Following visits to other Community Repaint projects, the Rediscovery Centre established the first Community Repaint scheme in the Republic of Ireland in 2008. Community RePaint collects, sorts and redistributes for reuse paint that is normally sent to landfill by households and traders and paint is currently available from the scheme for community groups and individuals in social need.

See www.rediscoverycentre.ie for news and updates.