From Repair to Refill: Local Projects Rethink Waste and Rebuild Community

By Keir Hartley 

Across West Sussex, more and more communities are finding simple ways to cut waste and make the most of what they already have. Whether it’s fixing broken items, passing on unwanted goods or switching to refillable options, people are discovering that small changes can make a big difference.

At Sussex Green Living, we’re working to promote practical solutions like these through our support for repair cafés, new refill initiatives and by sharing inspiring stories from across the county. One group that really caught our attention is based just outside Worthing, where bicycles are getting a new lease of life, along with the people who ride them.

New life for recycled bikes

What do you do with an unwanted bicycle? Down here on the coast, we contacted Durrington Community Cycle Project (DCCP), who are tired of seeing bikes end up in landfill. Instead, they show customers how to repair their bikes and keep them cycling safely. What’s more, they’ve integrated the whole repair and reuse ethos into the heart of their local community.

We saw just how much they’ve achieved when we visited the Pavilion at Pond Lane Recreation Ground in Durrington, which they’ve transformed into a thriving workshop. Inside, donated bikes are found in various stages of deconstruction, reconstruction and happy rides away.

“We also take in donated bikes which we refurbish or break for parts,” explained Ian Fairclough, one of the five directors. “And we offer the option for a customer to select a bike from our donated stock and work with us for a number of sessions to refurbish the bike, which they can take away for free.”

The final result may be a mosaic of new and recycled parts, but it’s back on the road.

The project is funded through sales and customer donations, which cover operational costs, allow investment in new services and support other local causes. “What’s important is how much we give back to the community,” Ian told us. “This year we gave £12,000 to them.”

Ian and fellow director Mark Mann took us around the facilities. The main workshop was buzzing with activity: five workstations in use, seven people busy with tools. There were storerooms for new and recycled spares, power tools, and even a cleaning tank for parts, all housed in a space that had seen barely any use before DCCP took it over.

“This was an old community centre used just once or twice a year. We converted it into a proper workshop and added an awning at the back to give us more covered space,” Ian said. Today, a team of around 30 volunteers supports the project on a rota basis.

Mark explained their approach. “We’re providing the community with a service they won’t get from the commercial sector. But we don’t offer a free ride. We expect people to get involved, and their donations keep us going. If it wasn’t for us, a lot of these bikes would have ended up in the local refuse heap.”

More than just bikes

For DCCP, it’s not just about the equipment. It’s about people. Ian emphasised the importance of involving young people and families. “We won’t have anyone under 16 in here without a responsible adult present, but that creates opportunities for shared time. Mums and daughters learning together, for instance.”

The benefits for lower-income households are also clear. “This is something they can’t get from a typical bike shop, but they can work with us to get a fully functional bike,” Ian said. Affordable, accessible cycling brings real health and environmental benefits.

DCCP’s reach has even gone international. “We used to work with a local group who sent our surplus bikes to communities in Kenya,” said Ian. “That’s paused for now, but we hope it resumes.”

So what keeps them going? “A great deal of satisfaction,” Ian smiled. “The recycling aspect, the health benefits, helping local communities, and keeping people cycling helps the environment.”

What happens when repair becomes part of everyday life?

Recycle, refurbish, repair and refill. Some of the most hopeful words we have, and DCCP shows how they can become part of everyday life. By combining practical skills with a strong community ethos, they’ve created something that’s good for people and the planet. That makes them very sustainable words indeed.

Projects like DCCP show how local repair can build both resilience and connection. Sussex Green Living is keen to shine a light on similar efforts across the county. We met the Chichester Bike Project, a recipient of the West Sussex County Council Waste Prevention Community Grant Fund, at the launch event earlier this year and were inspired by their commitment to helping more people get back on two wheels. Our own Storrington Refill Project, also supported by the grant fund, will launch at Chanctonbury Leisure Centre on 23 July. It will offer practical ways to reduce single-use packaging and encourage refill habits in everyday life.

As part of our work, we want to celebrate and share practical, local solutions like these. If you’re involved in a project, or know of something happening in your area that deserves attention, we’d love to hear from you via the contact form.

 

Find out more
Durrington Community Cycle Project: www.durringtoncycleproject.co.uk
Chichester Bike Project: www.chichesterbikeproject.com
Sussex Green Living Repair & Refill:
www.sussexgreenliving.org.uk/repair
www.sussexgreenliving.org.uk/refill