Social enterprise Eco Services is supply leading wildlife attraction Colchester Zoo with a range of furniture made from recycled plastic waste, leading the way to developing its attractions and leisure sector business.
Eco Services, part of Realise Futures, a community interest company (CIC) in Suffolk, providing training and job opportunities for people who are disadvantaged and furthest from the jobs market, has launched a range of sustainable outdoor children’s furniture specifically for leisure venues and tourist attractions.
Colchester Zoo, which has won a sustainable tourism award for its efforts in recycling and green practices, has purchased two brightly-coloured play tractors, benches and a number of flower planters made from recycled plastic.
Other visitor attractions to have purchased the tractors include Jimmy’s Farm, located near Ipswich, Suffolk, and owned by TV personality Jimmy Doherty.
Each tractor is made from 100% recycled plastic waste including polyethylene bottles, bags and containers which would otherwise be destined for landfill. Unlike many of the mixed plastic equivalents these products can be produced in a wide range of standard colours including bright, primary colours as well as the more traditional wood-like finishes.
All of the products are made at Eco Services’ factory in Ipswich, which ships goods in the UK and overseas.
Eco Services Business Development Manager Kieron Lingard said: “Our products are perfectly designed for tourist attractions such as Colchester Zoo. They are exceptionally durable, long-lasting, low maintenance, splinter-free and completely weatherproof. For this reason, we believe our products are ideal for the leisure market.
“Colchester Zoo demonstrates how the leisure industry is increasingly recognising the benefits associated with high-quality, sustainable products that can last and look good whilst reducing carbon footprints.”
