Recycler Craig turns trash into cash for good causes
WHILST most people are satisfied with putting out their recycling for collection by the district council, one Alcester man has been determined to go much further.
For the last 12 years, Craig Dobbins has been on a mission to turn everyday items from foil crisp packets to metal ring pulls into money for charity.
He is a familiar face on High Street, popping into pubs to collect metal bottle tops or getting shops to act as collection point for used stamps.
It started in 2011 when he was living in Wales and his grandfather from Redditch suggested he might like to start collecting used stamps for the Alexandra Hospital League of Friends which sells them on to collectors to raise funds for medical equipment.
Over the years Craig has collected ring pulls, plastic bottle tops, ink cartridges and corks, sending them to various recycling organisations which can put them to good use.
The foil crisp packets have been turned into thermal ‘space’ blankets and sent to rough sleepers. The ring pulls go to the Purple Community Fund, which helps families in poverty overseas.
The various recycling initiatives continued when he came to live with his brother in Alcester three years ago.
Craig, who has several learning disabilities, told the Herald “I decided to start collecting stamps for League of Friends again and went around the local shops to ask them to put up posters. I enjoy doing it.”
Craig also thinks about the environmental impact of waste believing society throws away too much and needs to use its resources more wisely.
His latest endeavours have raised £383 for the Redditch hospital.
The used stamps he collects get sorted by specialist volunteer Pete Elms, of the Redditch Philatelic Society. Pete, who is also a volunteer with the League of Friends, said: “For Craig to do what he does is superb, I can’t thank him enough for the work he is doing. He’s a brilliant chap and must have raised about £800 towards facilities at the hospital over the last three years.”
The Alcester collection points for used stamps are:
Church House, Ciao Bella Chic, Alcester Methodist Church, Orangemabel, Alcester Community Fridge, Wild About Interiors, Alcester Baptist Church, Jubilee Court
Craig latest project is turning the metal bottle tops he collects into fridge magnets which are currently for sale at Wild About Interiors.
He also understands that charities are more cash-strapped in these harsher economic times. “It’s good raising money for charity because the cost of living has gone up so if a charity can get money from recycling it helps them out. It makes me happy to know that charities are benefiting,” he added.
