From donation to creation: how surplus caps helped a community wellbeing session

33 donated caps are saved from landfill and given a new lease of life by a community wellbeing group.

The issue of waste stock

Organisations within the merchandise and apparel industry can often end up with surplus products- from old stock to unwanted branded items and samples- products end up in warehouses or at worst landfill. Hambleside Merchandise however is on a mission to spread awareness of how the industry can be greener and more eco-conscious.

Third donation via A Good Thing

Hambleside Merchandise offers branded merchandise, corporate incentives, business gifts, and promotional merchandise. It is one of a growing number of merchandise businesses looking to incorporate sustainability into its operations and promote greener options to its clients. The company recently donated 33 surplus caps via the A Good Thing platform, its third donation.  

Upcycling with Creatful CIC

Creatful CIC helps people connect using creativity to improve overall wellness. In 2023 they ran 185 creative events for 2,440 people. Nancy, Creatful’s Founding Director, was delighted to see the listing of caps on the platform having wanted a project which included fabric that also allowed for an interesting craft session.

Creatful CIC were able to use the caps in one of their seven weekly groups. The group welcomes all ages and their creative cap session saw people from their early twenties to their eighties joining in. Nancy explained how

“the activity was minimal cost as the hats had been donated and as a not for profit every penny is important”.

The cap below was made by one of Creatful CIC members Ben who enjoys creating art with his name on. With the help of his carer, Ben made this fantastic cap and Nancy told us that he wore it all week!

Positive impact for everyone

It is brilliant to see how items that could have been sent to landfill have had such a positive impact on the community. Hambleside Merchandise has re-distributed stock, which supports its aims to be greener and more environmentally conscious. Their donation has helped Creatful CIC run a wellbeing session at a lower cost. Members of Creatful, like Ben, get to take part in sessions to improve their well-being and social inclusion and leave with a funky, upcycled new cap.

If you’ve been inspired by the impact your business could have on communities, you can sign up here.