Veolia backs Library of Things to combat London’s throwaway culture

Why buy when you can fix? That's the message from Veolia and Library of Things who have partnered to boost London's sharing economy and combat its unsustainable throwaway culture.  

Supported by Veolia's Recycling Fund for Communities, Library of Things in Crystal Palace will deliver six repair workshops and ten mending meet-ups during 2020. The sessions will equip residents with the skills to fix broken electronics and mend textiles, so that they can carry on using them, rather than throwing them away.

Accessible to residents from all over London, the scheme is expected to upskill over 350 residents throughout the year and reduce 300kg of waste from being produced.

The workshops will connect residents with skilled volunteers who will work with residents to repair electronic and textile items. Veolia's recycling experts will also attend events to share advice and tips on being sustainable. 

We’re passionate about supporting projects that protect our resources and our planet by reducing, reusing and recycling. By supporting Library of things’ skill sharing events, we’re helping to give residents the tools to adopt sustainable waste behaviours, and deliver lasting benefits to the environment.
Rachel Jay
REGIONAL COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER FOR VEOLIA LONDON
We’re delighted Veolia is helping us to develop the repair events we’ve started with the Crystal Palace community. To date, Library of Things has prevented over 15,900 kilograms of waste through such events, and through our item lending service. Participants tell us they use Library of Things because it helps them save money, but increasingly because they want to live in a more environmentally-friendly way too.
REBECCA TREVALYAN
CO-DIRECTOR OF CRYSTAL PALACE LIBRARY OF THINGS

For more information about the events click here.