The Waste and Recycling Visitor Education Centre helps to teach residents, organizations and schools in Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland about how to reduce, re-use and recycle as much of their waste as possible. The Centre is managed by SUEZ recycling and recovery UK Ltd on behalf of Gateshead, South Tyneside and Sunderland City Councils as part of the South Tyne and Waste Management Partnership (STWWMP). The environmental regeneration charity Groundwork North East & Cumbria provide a full time Education Coordinator. The Centre acts as a hub for the delivery of a community and schools' education and engagement programme, which includes a range of waste awareness and reuse/recycling activities with local schools and community groups. These take place both within the Centre itself and through outreach work and activities held within local community settings which can be tailored to fit individual or curriculum requirements. Groundwork is a federation of charities mobilising practical community action on poverty and the environment across the UK. We believe that working with local communities to build their resilience is vital in facing up to the challenges of a globalised economy and a changing climate. We know that the negative effects of climate change and environmental breakdown impact first and worst on those who have the least power in society, and who contribute least to the cause of the crisis. A ‘just transition’ to an inclusive, netzero economy must tackle, rather than entrench, this inequality and provide a springboard for better work and healthier, happier lives in the places that need it most. This means creating green jobs that build wealth in local communities, changing behaviour to reduce wasted food, energy and water, providing biodiverse, accessible green spaces, supporting businesses to be more responsible and empowering communities to lead activities that improve their quality of life and promote health and wellbeing.
