The film and TV industry, with its vibrant storytelling and visual spectacles, also harbours a less glamorous side – waste. After the final cut, sets, and materials often find themselves without a purpose, facing the fate of disposal. That’s where AssetCycle bridges the gap, stepping in to offer these materials a new life.
In one such collaboration, Tony, through his antique shop, ‘The Barn,’ in Suffolk, has emerged as a beacon of sustainability.
Our warehouse team in Saxmundham has teamed up with The Barn led by Tony, a visionary craftsman, who is demonstrating how materials destined for disposal can breathe new life into the community.
The Barn isn’t just any antique shop; it’s a hub for sustainability and creativity. Tony recently took all the flattage and wood from over five film productions to not only enhance a greenhouse and build a walkway outside but also to construct a stunning sauna.
This sauna, built entirely from items donated by film and TV productions, stands as a testament to what can be achieved when traditional skills meet modern-day recycling and repurposing.
From Flattages to Furnishings
One of Tony’s most significant achievements has been his ability to challenge and overcome the hurdle of reusing wood and sets— traditionally the most challenging task for our warehouse reuse teams. From flattages and wood getting ready to be reused in the Team Suffolk warehouse, to creating uniquely beautiful tables, each piece tells a story of transformation.
Team Suffolk preparing sets and materials for reuse
Tony’s work embraces old-world craftsmanship, where every scrap of material is valued and nothing is wasted. His creations all share a common origin story. They are built from the remnants of storytelling.
Even the seemingly inconsequential scraps find purpose, turning into decorative flags or furniture with stories etched into every project.
This story isn’t just about repurposing; it’s a revival of traditional skills, a reminder that in our throwaway culture, the craft of making everything count should not be lost.
“Here at the-barn.co we promise to deliver a one-of-a-kind shopping experience full of vintage and artisan delights: recycled and refurbished; repurposed and pre-loved art, craft, home, garden and giftware. We also offer bespoke, handmade furniture and hand-crafted items to make your home, office or garden special to you. Repurposing existing materials or using reclaimed materials is our speciality and it’s part of what makes every piece a one-off – unique to you.” Tony at The Barn
CAMA & AssetCycle: Facilitating Change
At CAMA, we are exceptionally proud to collaborate with partners like ‘The Barn’ to enable such innovative reuse of materials that would otherwise be discarded. Acting as a conduit, we help film productions donate their surplus materials, ensuring they find a second purpose. This not only benefits the environment but also enriches local communities by providing them with unique, handcrafted items.
Our partnership with ‘The Barn’ highlights the potential of what can be achieved in the realm of sustainable reuse. Tony and his team’s dedication to crafting bespoke, hand-made furniture and other items using repurposed materials exemplifies the beauty of giving materials a second chance at life.
The Environmental Plot
The real hero of this story might just be the numbers that speak volumes of this initiative’s environmental impact. By putting the data through AssetCycle’s calculator, we find the emissions avoided through reuse 215,164.71 kgCO2e— a CO2e reduction equivalent to the absorption powers of 3,551 tree seedlings over a decade. This achievement highlights the environmental significance of repurposing and reusing, setting a model for sustainability across the industry.
Join the Reuse Revolution
The success story of ‘The Barn’ in Suffolk serves as an inspiring example of what the film and TV industry can achieve when it comes to environmental responsibility and community support.
Find out how CAMA and AssetCycle can support your production in achieving sustainability goals and provide a loving second home to your materials. Get in touch by emailing us info@cama.co.uk
