Supporters of Leeds social enterprise Seagulls have been painting the town their trademark pink as they celebrate its fifth birthday.
The not-for-profit organisation collects 45 tonnes of waste paint every year from five household waste sites across the city. Rather than going to landfill, part-filled pots of paint are remixed and resold to the public, community groups and social housing tenants.
The project arose from the need to tackle the issue of waste in the Leeds area and find positive and creative ways to encourage people to recycle.
Seagulls also offers a redecorating service - an affordable and environmentally sound painting and decorating service - to Leeds residents. Project workers and volunteers also use waste materials to create mosaic workshops, mural projects and site specific public art as well as working with schools and community organisations.
Seagulls founder Cat Pearson said:
"We practice and promote the reuse of waste and create opportunities for local people; offering training, support, volunteering and job opportunities.
"Since 2005 we've saved more than 200 tonnes of paint from being dumped in landfill sites. That is a real achievement and something we are immensely proud of. Hopefully, we'll continue to build on that success.
"We firmly believe that if the community can see a positive benefit to recycling and re-use then they will be keener to get involved. Our long term goal is to have a purpose built resource centre where folks can come in and access space and support to develop their ideas.
"We want to show people that recycling doesn't have to be boring and, although it's a cliché, one person's rubbish really is another's gold."
Based in the Hyde Park/Woodhouse area Seagulls continues to attract new volunteers and is working with People in Action to recruit volunteers with learning difficulties.
Headingley Liberal Democrat councillors James Monaghan and Jamie Matthews spearheaded efforts to encourage the North West Inner Area Committee to approve £5,000 of funding for the social enterprise in July.
They were full of praise for Seagulls, which has won national recognition for its work to promote green ways to reuse waste paint.
Monaghan said:
"The fact that they have gone from strength to strength over the last five years just demonstrates what an appetite people in Leeds have for environmental projects."
Pearson added:
"Securing a new contract feels like a pretty good way to celebrate our birthday!"
Are you involved in a community project or social enterprise in Leeds which deserves the oxygen of publicity? Email leeds.local@guardian.co.uk with your details.
What do you think about projects such as Seagulls? Have your say in the comments section below.
