CSM Swap Shop x ReCreate UK: Stretching the life of exhibition materials

CSM Swap Shop x ReCreate UK:Stretching the life of exhibition materials

This year at Earth Week, we'll be joined by Mel Appleby founder of ReCreate UK, an organisation which reclaims tons of what would be exhibition waste and extends the life of these materials by donation them to other causes, including CSM Swap Shop. Through this session, participants will learn about the exhibition waste problem, as well as how to tackle it through responsible design approaches. Mel will also present case studies of how former exhibition materials have had new life in other creative projects and outputs.

After learning from Mel, we'll move from the Swap Shop to ur Paint/Surface workshop and Vince Hart, Specialist Technician, to learn how to stretch and create our own canvases using reclaimed exhibition materials.

This workshop will embodies the CSM Swap Shop’s mission for UAL to use reclaimed materials for creative practice, tackling the waste problem in the arts and cultural sector. It is open to all students and staff at UAL, and will take place in person at Central Saint Martins.

This session is organised as part of Fault Lines, the UAL Earth Week programme for 2026, organised for staff and students by the UAL Climate Emergency Network.