A PROJECT in West Dunbartonshire aiming to reduce single use plastics and help the environment, has been handed a grant of almost £10,000 from the Big Lottery Fund.

Clydebank’s MP Martin Docherty-Hughes, led the plaudits for the Rag and Bone Projects team for securing the grant, which will go a long way to achieving their aims.

The West Dunbartonshire social enterprise project, which aims to reduce waste and promote intergenerational skill-sharing, was successful in applying to the National Lottery’s Awards for All Scotland for a funding award of £9,740.

The group will use the funding to deliver workshops, repair cafes and information events focusing on upcycling and supporting local residents to reduce waste.

Rag and Bone Projects was one of 97 groups across Scotland to secure funding from the National Lottery’s ‘Awards for All’ fund which makes grants from £300 to £10,000 to voluntary and community groups.

Mr Docherty-Hughes, said he looked forward to visiting the group to discuss proposals on tackling the impact of single use plastics.

He said: “One of Scotland’s greatest assets is our environment and it’s vital that we take action to reduce waste to keep Scotland beautiful.

“It’s great to see local projects being set up to promote the value of upcycling and community repair workshops. This not only encourages local residents to learn new skills but also helps to reduce the amount of waste going to landfill.”

“I congratulate the team at Rag and Bone Projects for securing this funding. I look forward to visiting the group soon to see first-hand the benefits of their upcycling workshops and discuss plans to tackle the impact of single use plastics.”

Rag and Bone Projects started out as an idea for a tool library and repair cafe in West Dunbartonshire.

They have since expanded this vision to also include a zero plastic waste scheme, and hold education workshops teaching people how to make their own alternatives to plastics as well as selling non-plastic wares at events and fairs around the area.

The group has plans to set up tool lending stations in three locations across West Dunbartonshire, as they tackle the issue of plastic waste through workshops on how to make their own alternatives as well as selling alternative product solutions to single use plastics from stalls at events and fairs.

They plan to have tool lending stations in three locations across West Dunbartonshire as well as workshops showing how to use the tools and carry out repairs.

The group’s long term aim of “zero” is to have their own retail operation in West Dunbartonshire which will double as workshop space.

A spokesman for Rag and Bone Projects told the Post: “We will continue to offer outreach workshops and use our sales stall at events.

“We will sell items that reduce reliance on single use plastics and plan to extend this to include packaging free produce and wholefoods.

“At the moment there are three of us heading the team.

“We are all very passionate about the environment and have a pool of experience and interests in areas that will help Rag and Bone grow.

“We hope that we can use our experience to protest for change at both local council and national and UK government level to make policy and operational changes to implement new ways to minimize waste as well as promote a system of sharing rather than ownership.”

An National Lottery Awards for All Scotland spokesperson said 97 groups received a share of funds.

He added: “This is National Lottery money in action, reaching into communities across Scotland making a real difference to the people who live there.”