SUSTAINABILITY


A RAG AND BONE ECONOMY


Emma Elston MBE, founder of container repair and refurbishment company UK Container Maintenance (UKCM) explains what modern industry can learn from the original community recyclers.


“Any old iron? Any old metal?!” – For those that remember those elongated words, usually exclaimed at ear-piercing volume, it will evoke nostalgic memories of the approaching clunk of an old trolley or if you are a little more mature, the clip-clop of horses hooves.


26 | TOMORROW’S FM


Although the days of the Rag and Bone Man have long-gone, pressure mounts on all industries to transform their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) policies to meet growing Government targets and decreasing budgets, I believe it is time to look back at the original community recyclers for cost- effective inspiration.


As the co-founder of a company dedicated to the reuse and recycling of waste containers, I truly believe that the quest for a ‘circular economy’ is an ambitious target, but not one that deserves to be met with raised eyebrows or snorts of derision from company bosses.


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