BSH Recycling is proud to have partnered with Queensgate Shopping Centre and Peterborough City Council to bring the “Waste to Wonder” campaign to life this May half term — a vibrant celebration of creativity, sustainability, and local community spirit.
At the centre of the campaign were two 8-yard skips, transformed into stunning works of art by acclaimed local street artist Nathan “Nyces” Murdoch. Unveiled in Cathedral Square on Tuesday 27 May, the skips attracted hundreds of visitors and created a colourful backdrop to a campaign that encouraged residents to see waste not as a problem, but as a source of potential.
These artworks were more than just striking installations — they also served as a tribute to four incredible Peterborough-based community organisations. The featured groups — New Ark Adventure Playground & City Farm, Up The Garden Bath, Railworld Wildlife Haven, and Children’s Links — each play a vital role in education, wellbeing, and environmental awareness across the city. We were honoured to celebrate their work in such a public and meaningful way.
Visitors were invited to bring clean plastic bottles and tin cans to the event, placing them directly into the art skips. These materials are now in the capable hands of Roland from RB7 Art Centre CIC, located within Queensgate, who will transform them into a new, large-scale artwork to be unveiled later this summer. This next phase continues the campaign’s mission of turning everyday materials into something extraordinary.
Throughout the week, Queensgate Shopping Centre came alive with eco-themed activity. Children and families enjoyed crafting plastic bottle bird feeders, decorating their own bags for life, and getting involved with the Wheel of Waste in the ‘Love Food, Hate Waste’ zone. These free sessions encouraged hands-on learning and creative exploration, helping younger generations understand the importance of recycling in a fun and accessible way.
BSH Recycling Managing Director Chris Seggie commented, “Having been based in Peterborough for many years, we’ve always been keen to support the communities that have supported us. This ‘Waste to Wonder’ campaign is a fantastic way to do just that. Transforming our skips into canvases for local charities not only promotes vital recycling, but also creates a highly visible and valuable platform to recognise the incredible work these groups do right here in Peterborough.”
Cllr Angus Ellis, Cabinet Member for Environment and Transport at Peterborough City Council, added, “We are fully committed to working with partners such as Queensgate Shopping Centre to support positive campaigns like ‘Waste to Wonder’. This creative initiative ties in with our key aims of raising awareness about the importance of recycling and how everyone can play a part in creating a more sustainable city.”
Verity Swinscoe-Wigmore, Marketing and Events Co-ordinator at Queensgate, echoed the sentiment: “We’re proud to collaborate on a project that brings together environmental responsibility, local talent, and community support. It’s a great way to kick off our ‘Waste to Wonder’ campaign.”
We’d like to extend a heartfelt thank you to everyone who took part — from the families who brought their recyclables, to the charity representatives, artists, and council teams who made this initiative such a success. “Waste to Wonder” is more than just an event; it’s a reminder of how small, conscious actions can create lasting impact when communities come together.
Keep an eye out this summer for the unveiling of the final Shaun the Sheep-inspired artwork — made using your donated materials — and stay tuned for more sustainability-driven collaborations from the team at BSH Recycling.
