REMO is delighted to be approved £12,100 in funding from Fenland District Council via the Whitemill Community Environment Fund to deliver our exciting Mobile Makerspace project.
REMO is preparing to launch an innovative mobile circular economy repair, reuse, and recycling hub serving rural Fenland communities.
The project will purchase and transform a second-hand events trailer into a fully equipped mobile sustainability workshop capable of travelling directly into communities, schools, community groups, and local events. The pilot will focus primarily serving activities for residents from Elm, Friday Bridge, and Christchurch.
The mobile hub will provide practical, accessible opportunities for residents to repair, reuse, recycle, learn new skills, and reduce waste through hands-on activities including:
Operating similarly to the mobile library service, there will be a regular weekly schedule and the option for groups, clubs and schools to book for specific community dates and events. The project will particularly engage individuals and families who may otherwise face barriers to participating in environmental activities due to cost, confidence, transport limitations, or lack of access to tools and equipment.
For enquiries please contact: [email protected]
Donations of hand tools welcome!
The REMO Mobile Circular Economy Hub will significantly increase residents’ understanding of waste reduction, resource conservation, repair culture and the principles of the circular economy through practical, hands-on learning opportunities delivered directly within local communities.
As can be seen in the mockup AI Generated image above, the Mobile Hub will include several activity stations, each with a clear educational component:
Woodworking and Repair Workshops
Participants will learn how repairing and maintaining items extends product lifespan, reduces demand for new materials and prevents unnecessary waste entering landfill. Activities such as making bird boxes and planters from reclaimed timber will demonstrate the environmental value of reusing materials.
Bicycle Repair and Maintenance
Residents will learn practical maintenance skills that enable bicycles to remain in use for longer, reducing waste and encouraging sustainable transport options. Participants will also gain awareness of the environmental benefits of active travel.
Plastic Recycling Demonstrations
Interactive demonstrations will help residents understand different plastic types, common recycling challenges and how plastics can be transformed into new products. Participants will gain a greater appreciation of resource recovery and responsible disposal as well a place to make new things from saving the right types of plastic.
Textile Repair and Upcycling
Workshops will teach basic sewing, mending and upcycling skills, helping residents understand the environmental impact of fast fashion and the benefits of extending the life of clothing and household textiles.
Paint Amnesty and Reuse Activities
Residents will learn about the environmental impact of disposing of unused paint and how surplus paint can be safely reused, reducing waste and conserving resources. Through regular community sessions, school visits and attendance at local events, the project is expected to engage more than 500 residents during the pilot year, helping to embed long-term behavioural change and greater environmental awareness across rural Fenland communities
The project is founded on circular economy principles and will maximise the use of reused and repurposed materials wherever possible.
Key examples include:
• Purchase and conversion of a second-hand events trailer rather than commissioning a new vehicle.
• Reclaimed timber and surplus materials sourced through REMO’s existing reuse operations for woodworking projects.
• Donated bicycles and bicycle components for repair, refurbishment and reuse.
• Surplus paint collected through REMO’s paint reuse programme and redistributed to residents and community groups.
• Recovered textiles and fabric donated through local waste diversion schemes for upcycling and repair workshops.
• Waste plastics collected from local sources for educational recycling demonstrations.
• Reused shelving, storage systems and workshop furniture incorporated into the trailer conversion wherever practical. As an organisation with a proven 98% material repurposing rate, REMO routinely prioritises the use of reclaimed materials. New materials will only be purchased where required for health
The project has been specifically designed to reduce waste, conserve resources and encourage sustainable consumption.
Our Experience
REMO Social Enterprise believes that accessing home essentials and creative opportunities doesn’t need to cost the earth. For 20 years, we’ve been on the frontline of rescuing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing and recycling materials to create sustainable, useful and creative products and services. With help from our community members and resellers, we’ve already diverted a million litres of paint and hundreds of tonnes of furniture, food and creative materials from landfill.
In 2005 we began raising awareness about reusing and recycling at a time when some councils didn’t have recycling services. Since then, we’ve expanded the initiatives under our colourful umbrella, contributing to the circular economy by reducing waste and keeping a wide range of resources in use for as long as possible.
Nikki DiGiovanni – Development Director, one of the original founders has innovated in paint and workwear remanufacturing, written and delivered waste awareness and enterprise training for many organisations including international projects for universities and is regularly requested as a speaker for events because of her knowledge and expertise in developing community led circular economy initiatives.
We have two locations in Fenland, an online shop and are excited by this project for grassroots community plastic recycling.
Get Involved
REMO is currently recruiting for the three new technically skilled roles and expanding its programme of Repair Cafés and upcycling workshops.
To find out more about membership, volunteering or upcoming events, visit:
www.remo.org.uk/news or www.facebook.com/remotrading @remo_trading
Media Contact: Nikki DiGiovanni – Development Director REMO Social Enterprise
01354 607667 / 07905951735 Email: [email protected]
About REMO
REMO is an award winning social and environmental enterprise based in March, Cambridgeshire, committed to sustainability, inclusion and community-led innovation. Through practical projects and shared spaces, REMO has spent over 20 years empowering people to reduce waste, build skills and create positive social change.
