10 April 2019
As part of a bid for Glasgow to become a leading circular city, we brought one of the world’s most sustainable buildings to the city centre as part of an informative hub that inspired a rethink, reuse, repair and recycle approach.
Circular Hub, an exhibition designed by local studio ilka, used only re-purposed or recycled materials and was located at St. Enoch Square at the end of March. The free event was filled with information on ways to become more circular and included: case studies of pioneering local organisations who have successfully adopted a more sustainable approach, information on Glasgow’s circular journey, inspiring ‘did you know’ facts and stats as well as an interactive area that encouraged visitors to share simple ideas and swaps.
Circular Hub included real life examples of products that have been developed with circularity in mind. The St. Enoch Centre’s waste coffee grounds to compost initiative was showcased through the centres plants and was joined by a special eco-friendly flower bed from Kabloom. The building itself had been designed and built by IndiNature, who manufacture 100% plant-based construction systems, while all of the information boards had been created using recycled planks from Glasgow Wood Recycling or G. F. Smith’s Extract paper made from used coffee cups.
Over 180 shoppers and passers-by visited and interacted with the Circular Hub and as well as learning more about the circular economy in Glasgow, they shared some of their own tips to lead a more sustainable life including:
- Leaving the car behind and taking the train, bus or even bike
- Using shampoo and soap bars instead of plastic bottles
- Having a meat-free Monday
- Using libraries, book clubs, charity shops and social media to swap and share items
- Timing showers to the length of a favourite song
In the spirit of the circular economy, all our exhibition ‘furniture’ including our circular stool, bench and our Swap Wheel have now reached their new home at Young Enterprise Scotland in Rouken Glen park and will be used as part of their Circular Economy Challenge programme working with primary school pupils.
