Warwickshire News Mine

Hunters Lane Household Waste Recycling Centre (HWRC) in Rugby has recently introduced a new facility to reuse unwanted tools while simultaneously supporting a very worthwhile cause.

From unused tool belts, tin snips and spanners to unwanted hand and electric sewing machines, vices and drills.  Warwickshire County Council was more than happy to provide space for a reuse shed at Hunters Lane for Tools with a Mission (TWAM).

TWAM are a national charity based in Ipswich.  The Midlands satellite centre is staffed by volunteers who collect, refurbish and dispatch tools to Ipswich for onward shipping to developing countries.

Tools deposited at the recycling centre will be collected and sorted by volunteers according to the trade they will be used by. These trades include carpentry, metalwork, vehicle mechanics, building, plumbing, leatherwork and more. The tools are made up into tool kits according to a specified list and are then packed, labelled and despatched overseas. The tools provide the opportunity for people in poverty to earn a living and to support themselves.

Martin Humphries at TWAM said, “In many countries of the world people have few skills, little education and no means of earning a living. A switch from aid dependency to self sufficiency is impossible without help.  The tools collected at Hunters Lane will be a huge help to make the tradesman’s toolkits which are vital to train local people in a useful trade. On successful completion of the course the student will be given a toolkit of his, or her, own.”

Victoria Paffett, Sites Manager at Hunters Lane, said: “We are delighted to support TWAM, donating items is a positive way members of the public can reuse their unwanted tools but also do their bit for the environment by saving the resources required to make new tools or to recycle them”

TWAM started twenty five years ago, and has since then given this help by collecting and refurbishing tools and equipment no longer required in the UK and sending them overseas.

The workshop at Coventry is an industrial unit and is open three days a week.  Supporters and volunteers are always needed as they make up carpenter’s kits and refurbish sewing machines.  Further details about TWAM, including information about projects, training and how and what to donate can be found at http://www.twam.co.uk

Details about the County Council’s nine recycling centres, including information regarding the opening times, location and the materials that can recycle can be found at http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/hwrc

Link to WCC