Rediscovery Centre visit the School of Architecture, Building & Environment.
Mr Tom Lundy, from the Painting Section of the School of Architecture, Building & Environment, recently organised a visit from the Rediscovery Centre, which is the National Centre for the Circular Economy to Linenhall, Bolton Street.
The School were delighted to host Jack McCarthy (pictured right), a Research Officer and Dave Kavanagh (pictured left), the Rediscover Paint Programme Manager.
The Rediscovery Centre are a creative movement connecting people, ideas and resources to support greener, low-carbon living. The focus of the visit was to highlight the Centre’s initiative in reusing paint rather than disposing of it. Jack outlined how the Paint Reuse Network was launched in 2021 and has now expanded to 9 Reuse Organisations throughout the country. Through this network, various organisations are trying to minimise paint waste in Ireland, support community employment and training and also provide affordable recycled paint. The network is expanding with an increase in 2020 of six donation points nationally to twenty-five in 2023. Dave highlighted the amount of waste paint and its costs per annum. For example, in 2016 it is estimated that 2,000 tonnes of waste paint were exported for incineration at an estimated cost of 600,000 euros.
Following the visit, Mr Tom Lundy stated, ’The future of the paint industry lies in the circular economy. To achieve the aim of keeping the materials in use for longer, we have to move towards a more sustainable approach to painting waste. The work of the Rediscovery Centre is leading the way for the industry.’
While this visit focused on paint, the Centre takes multiple approaches to promoting the circular economy, with a Rediscover Furniture section, Rediscover Fashion, and Rediscover Cycling.
More information is available here: https://www.rediscoverycentre.ie/