This project aimed to reduce the 22, 000 tonnes of textiles which are thrown away each year in Merseyside. Each group taking part organised their own textile collection to provide the materials for their tree, as well as potentially raising some money for their group. This project was supported by the Merseyside Recycling and Waste Authority (MRWA).

Through this project:
  • 1.92 tonnes of textile waste was used or recycled through 'Tree of Life' workshops
  • 96 tonnes of textiles were diverted from landfills through collections (1x collection per school group & 2x collections per adult group)
  • We achieved a CO2 reduction of 381.889 tonnes
  • £48,000 was generated in income for groups through textile collections
  • £7,834 total landfill costs were saved

Sew Many Trees Exhibition

The project culminated in a Liverpool wide exhibition in June 2015.  Thirty schools and community groups across Merseyside transformed old and unwanted clothes into textile tree banners which formed a textile forest exhibited at Liverpool Central Library, the Quaker Meeting House, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral and the International Slavery Museum.

 Participating Schools & Community Groups

  • ​Westbank Primary School, Halton
  • Garston CofE Primary School, Liverpool
  • St. Gregory's Adult Centre, Liverpool
  • Four Estates Community Centre, Halton
  • Widnes Academy, Halton
  • St. Gabriel's Primary School, Knowsley
  • Knowsley Adults Disability Day Services, Stockbridge Village
  • Holy Trinity CofE Primary School, Southport
  • L30 Community Centre, Sefton
  • St. George's Primary School, Wirral
  • Parent's Forum Seacombe, Wirral
  • The Women's Group at Asylum Link Merseyside, Liverpool
  • St. Austin's RC Primary School, St Helens
  • St. Catherine's Community Centre, Wirral
  • Parenting 2000, Sefton
  • The Dorcas Group at St Austin's Church, Thatto Heath
  • St. Gregory's Primary School, Netherley
  • St. Bede's Primary School, Halton
  • Tomorrows Women Wirral
  • SING Shop Knit + Natter, Seaforth
  • SING Shop ESOL, Seaforth
  • Jingles Nursery, Seaforth
  • Kirkby CofE Primary School, Knowsley
  • St. Luke's Primary School, Southport