Concerned with the increasing waste in our communities, The ReCreators aims to turn waste into value through upcycling.

Upcycling takes old materials and unwanted items and turns them into new products, reducing waste going to landfills and carbon emissions created from recycling. It takes regular items, such as plastic bottles or old clothing, and turns them into new creations, extending their life and giving people the opportunity to start businesses.

Working in partnership with Shama Ethnic Women’s Trust, The ReCreators launched a Circular Business Programme in Hamilton in 2023. This 10-week programme aims to train former refugees and women how to start an economically sustainable business through the circular model. The circular model involves creating products through upcycling materials and products for as long as possible.

The ReCreators and Shama took participants through various workshops, including woodworking, sewing and jewellery making. The workshops allowed participants to learn about different techniques, so they could get a range of ideas for businesses. Workshops were combined with key lessons in business management, including brand design, customer engagement and local merchandising through markets.

As a result of this programme, participant Raissa Ringer started ‘Hi-Cycled’, a business creating earrings that are also earplugs for people sensitive to sound. These earrings empower people to go about their daily lives knowing they can quickly minimise loud noises by using the earplugs.

We proudly assisted in funding this great initiative through our Ethnic Communities Development Fund. Initiatives like this are excellent in not only improving economic outcomes for our ethnic communities, but also connecting and uplifting ethnic community groups.

The next cohort of the Circular Business Programme is set to start in early February in Hamilton. Visit Circular Product Design & Business Programme - The ReCreators to register your interest.