PICTURE SPECIAL: Circular Caithness Fair celebrates recycling and reusing items
The centre of Thurso was buzzing with all things eco and sustainable on Saturday (September 21) as the Circular Caithness Fair (CCF) got underway.
Various stalls lined the route along the pedestrianised precinct with information and products that all had a story to tell of circularity and localism.
Oksana Iatsiuta, Highland Community Waste Partnership (HCWP) development officer, explained the theme of the event: “It’s all about reusing resources; being friendly to the planet; being friendly to each other and making our economy micro-level so that we do not centralise our money flow.
“We are supporting our local crafters and local shops so that money stays in our community.”
Oksana also explained how her vintage outfit was all sourced secondhand and that buying used clothing from local charity shops was another way of circulating money flow within the community and recycling unwanted items that may have otherwise gone to landfill.
Thurso Community Development Trust, as a member of HCWP, organised the CCF to support and promote the circular economy of Caithness. Invited along were local businesses and individuals that support the local economy by manufacturing bespoke locally-made products or providing unique services, exercising principles of circularity and localism, and providing sharing and repairing services.
The CCF aimed to showcase and celebrate businesses providing the community with unique locally made products; to support the local economy and generate jobs; and “help us to be more sustainable and less wasteful by means of repairing and sharing various goods and items”.
One of the well-known local exponents of recycling and tackling environmental issues featured at the fair was Caithness Beach Cleans (CBC). Docas and Alan Sinclair, who run the group, had displays of found objects from the Caithness shoreline as well as items they had created from discarded fishing gear removed from local beaches.
“Our tally at the moment is around 66.7 tons [removed from beaches] which is fantastic,” said Dorcas.
“Last year, we went on a holiday down the west coast and met up with a guy called Geoff Pringle who does beach cleaning at Ullapool. Since spending time with him, they’ve started a North West Highland Beach Cleans on the same model as us. They are doing remarkably well. Their beaches were in dire need of cleaning and they’ve now taken tons from them.”
She went on to explain how CBC fits the ethos of the fair with its recycled doormats, dog toys and bin lid holders made from found creel hooks. “I also wear the same jumper when I’m doing beach cleans and constantly patch it,” she added.
Another company called Mya Moo’s Natural Treats, based in Halkirk, was another example of how waste products can be reused. Amanda Flear, who runs the company said: “It’s all natural treats and byproducts that us humans wouldn’t use.
“They’re chemical free and there are no bleaching products. They’re air-dried and very safe for dogs. Because it’s all natural it’s easier for dogs to digest as well. They’re all very environmentally friendly as we’re using what humans can’t use.” She showed horns and rabbit ears that were for sale and explained the benefits for dogs of these items which may otherwise have been thrown away.
Oksana said there was also a fashion show at the event in which people were invited to come along in handmade or thrift shop clothing. “My shoes, skirt and jumper all came from charity shops.”
She says that the fair sent out the message of how important it is for all of us to shop locally, support each other’s businesses, consume responsibly and waste less.
The fair took place from 10am until 3pm and there was an entertainment programme that included contests, music and a ceilidh. Highland Hospice charity shop went over and above to celebrate the day with special stalls and fun costumes to highlight its secondhand items. The shop is also up for a national award.
Manager Susan Imlach said: “It was an absolutely fantastic day.
“My assistant Linda and I dressed up and we had a lot of fun. It was busy and we advertised ‘shop local’ as well as ‘recycle and reuse’. Though we have secondhand we also have new goods and there are many unwanted presents – one person’s rubbish can be another person’s treasure.
“We also have a lot of goods here that are sourced locally. It’s fabulous the amount of stock we get.”
A circular economy is a system where materials never become waste and nature is regenerated. In a circular economy, products and materials are kept in circulation through processes like maintenance, reuse, refurbishment, remanufacture, recycling, and composting.
