{"id":1838,"date":"2020-02-27T12:02:07","date_gmt":"2020-02-27T11:02:07","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/business-school\/?p=1838"},"modified":"2020-02-27T13:48:21","modified_gmt":"2020-02-27T12:48:21","slug":"our-circular-economy-makeover","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.cardiff.ac.uk\/business-school\/our-circular-economy-makeover\/","title":{"rendered":"Our circular economy makeover"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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A staff painting party completed our new common room space in the Aberconway Building.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

In the summer of 2019, Dr Carolyn Strong and Cardiff Business School\u2019s Estates Strategy Committee, set about a refurbishment project with a difference. They wanted to breathe new life into our offices, teaching rooms and social spaces in a way that wouldn\u2019t compromise our public value principles.<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sourcing and installing circular economy products from UK businesses and social enterprises Rype Office<\/a>, Greenstream Flooring<\/a> and Merthyr Tydfil Institute for the Blind (MTIB)<\/a>, the Team has transformed the Dean\u2019s new office space, twenty academic staff offices and a staff common room.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With more renovations on the horizon in 2020, Dr Strong told us about some of the motivations behind this ambitious project.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This all came about when the School\u2019s Estate Strategy Committee (ESC) got going. I chair the committee and, after initial discussions about our aims and ambitions, I submitted a request to the School Management Board for funds to renovate our staff common room and kitchen.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

We were successful in our application and immediately set about finding ways to make what was a pretty dreary space into one staff would enjoy using. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Linda Hellard, who was part of the group until her secondment to the Data Innovation Accelerator Team<\/a>, suggested we get in touch with Rype Office after she heard their owner Greg Lavery speak at one of our Executive Education<\/a> events. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Gareth Hubback, our former Facilities Officer, and I worked with Greg to design the space within budget. However, we came up a little short. So, in order to complete the common room, we held a paint party one evening after work. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The combined efforts of our colleagues and the circular economy flooring and furnishings made it all possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt\u2019s enabled us to make significant monetary savings on our procurement of furniture \u2013 we\u2019re talking 21% cheaper than existing university suppliers \u2013 while also supporting social enterprise partners in Wales. And that\u2019s not to mention the social and environmental benefits.\u201d <\/p><\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The sofas, for example, are all hand made to order by MTIB. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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They\u2019re a supported wood manufacturing workshop, based in South Wales, offering direct training and employment to people with disabilities. They\u2019re also a supported employment agency, helping people through training and support, to achieve and sustain employment in the wider community.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, by choosing MTIB, we\u2019re safe in the knowledge that we\u2019re investing in the economy of the South Wales Valleys, about 30 miles North of Cardiff University. And also, we\u2019re contributing to employment and training provision for those with disabilities in local communities such as Merthyr and further afield.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s our duty, of course. But it\u2019s immensely satisfying, nonetheless.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The four Rs<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Now, I\u2019m no environmental economist \u2013 you\u2019d have to ask Professor Calvin Jones<\/a> for the exact reductions in our carbon footprint with this project \u2013 but wherever possible we\u2019ve taken steps to source circular economy products. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

And so, the four Rs \u2013 remanufactured, refurbished, reclaimed or redistributed \u2013 have become something of a mantra for our team!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

All our carpets have been provided by Greenstream Flooring. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Established in the Rhondda Valley in 2008, and in response to the number of carpet tiles being wasted or sent to landfill, they\u2019re specialists in supplying and fitting refurbished used carpet tiles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Their approach saves carbon and enables them to provide low-cost flooring to people and organisations who couldn\u2019t otherwise afford the service.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Like MITB, the revenue generated through carpet sales means they can provide training and volunteering opportunities for long term unemployed people or people suffering health issues.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Former-life furnishings<\/h3>\n\n\n\n