Edinburgh Remakery Wins National Climate Pioneer Award at SE100 2025

Sep 14

Edinburgh Remakery Wins National Climate Pioneer Award at SE100 2025

Elaine Brown
Chief Executive Officer

Elaine was previously Chief Operating Officer for Bright Green Business – Scotland’s number one provider of Environmental Internships.  She worked with businesses throughout Scotland to engage them in circular economy practices and help them to grow their businesses by improving their environmental sustainability. She also brings with her over 23 years experience of project management within a number of local authorities.

 

Elaine is your first contact to explore how the Edinburgh Remakery can work with you to implement circular economy practices within your community or business.  She will be tasked with taking the strategic lead on a range of initiatives.  Collaboration is Elaine’s favourite thing so please get in touch to discuss how you can work in partnership with the Edinburgh Remakery today.

Barbara Hamilton
Funding & Partnerships Manager

Barbara joined us in April 2021 to focus on developing a funding strategy for an environmentally sustainable organisation and delivering our vision of promoting a zero-waste culture that replaces consumerism with creativity, community, and conscious consumption.

 

Barbara’s background is in Marketing and Business Development. She is a very experienced Bid Manager and Writer and uses these skills to build strong funding cases. Barbara has run successful fundraising campaigns for local schools, raising money to purchase specialist equipment and fund activities for the children. Barbara is always happy to talk about all things funding, especially if it helps people and local communities to develop and thrive.

 
Asrar Qazi
Project and Marketing Executive

Asrar joined Edinburgh Remakery as a graduate Intern in November 2022. His job involved managing our Tech Donation Box programme by finding sponsorships and new homes for them across the city and beyond. After successfully completing his internship, he now works as a Project & Marketing Executive. He has a Master’s degree in Business Management and Marketing from Heriot Watt University. He has a real passion to make our planet a better place to live, by helping organisations and individuals dispose of their e-waste more sensibly and responsibly. He manages our social media and website content to raise awareness of Edinburgh Remakery to our wide and varied audiences and communities.

 
Arek Wosik
Operations Manager

Arek joined the Edinburgh Remakery team in November 2022.

 

Arek studied Electronics in Poland before starting work as a Repair Technician for a small company. During that time he further developed his knowledge around IT, as well as in photo editing and product photography.

 

Arek joins us as Hardware Repair Technician to help with the growing demand for free electronics which the Remakery gifts to those in need.

 

In his spare time, apart from fixing things, Arek loves running, highland walking, and traveling with his family to meet new people and admire local cultures and food.

Harry Ross
E-Waste Coordinator

In January 2021 we welcomed Harry Ross as our new E-Waste Operative, a role partially funded by the No One Left Behind scheme through the City of Edinburgh Council; a scheme created to provide support to those furthest removed from the labour market.


Harry then began studying through QA Apprenticeships, working towards a Level 6 IT Professional Diploma.


Due to Harry’s amazing hard work, reliability and competence, he has since been made a full-time employee and promoted to the role of Hardware Repair Technician, has completed his Level 6 Diploma, and now begins working towards Level 8.

Jaraah Ahmed
E-waste Operative/Driver

Jaraah points the van in the right direction for deliveries and collections and has become somewhat adept at walking backwards while carrying heavy loads of IT equipment (hopefully we didn’t just jinx that…)

Babis
E-waste Operative/Driver
Elizabeth Tainsh

Elizabeth is a Planning and Environmental Associate at Wright, Johnston & Mackenzie LLP. She regularly advises clients on planning matters, particularly in the renewables sector. Elizabeth also advises on environmental matters including waste management, contaminated land, & water discharges.


Prior to this role, Elizabeth was a Corporate Solicitor at SEPA where her work included corporate governance matters as well as other sectors including HR, Freedom of Information, data security and protection.


Elizabeth has an Masters degree in Environmental law and is a regular contributor to the Scottish Planning and Environmental Law.

Simone Ivan Conte

Board Member

Marcus Sangster

Marcus is a Chartered Banker who has been working with Scottish organisations and businesses for over 20 years. He specialises in asset finance and the life cycle management of capital expenditure.


Marcus has a particular interest in net zero transition journeys organisations face and how tackling challenges also creates opportunities. The practical applications of the Edinburgh Remakery to the Circular Economy are what attracted Marcus to the team and he looks forward to furthering the message of repair, reuse and recycle.

Fiona Kippax

With over 25 years of strategic, analytical, and operational marketing experience in the electronics industry, Fiona has a strong track record of driving results through collaboration and insight. In her Marketing Operations role at Cirrus Logic, she combines commercial acumen with stakeholder engagement, managing key channel relationships and providing strategic analysis that shape long-term revenue and business planning. 

 

Alongside her corporate responsibilities, Fiona plays an active role in leadership and community initiatives. She chairs the Cirrus Logic UK Women’s Leadership Team, supports the Environmental Action Network as the Edinburgh liaison, and is a key contact for Cirrus Logic’s charitable and 3rd sector engagement and support. 

Cat Kozlowski

Cat Kozlowski (she/her) brings a collaborative approach to leadership, grounded in professional learning, community engagement, and environmental awareness. She is passionate about creating spaces where diverse groups can work together, share experiences, and shape meaningful outcomes. Cat is experienced in cross-sector work spanning government, business, and non-profits, and amplifying the voices of children and young people. 

 

She places a high value on engaging with underserved communities and delivering lasting change through shared knowledge and co-production. With experience across Australia, Poland, Ireland, and the UK, Cat contributes a global outlook and a commitment to working collectively for more equitable and sustainable futures. Cat has been a proud member of the Edinburgh Remakery board since 2021. 

Lorna McDonald

Lorna has spent the majority of her career working in social care, primarily alongside people living with disabilities. She has experience in developing teams, being a facilitator and a training consultant, and hands on experience of directly supporting people to live the life they choose.


Lorna believes that everyone has a contribution to make to their community and this is only meaningful with genuine inclusivity and when wellbeing is properly supported. This belief drives all of her work and is at the heart of her focus in sustainability.


Lorna is currently studying a degree in computing which has led to a keen interest in how technology can be environmentally sustainable and used to create and support inclusivity to community.

Jack Laird

I am a Chartered Accountant based in Scotland with a passion for working with numbers and helping organisations make a positive impact. I am proud to volunteer with The Edinburgh Remakery and strongly believe in its mission to promote sustainability, reduce waste, and create meaningful environmental change within the community. I love seeing the positive effect the organisation has on both people and the environment. Outside of work and volunteering, I love to spend time with my family, and roll some dice and play board games with my friends.

The Queen’s Awards for Enterprise in Sustainable Development 2022 Winner

One of the UK’s most prestigious business accolades


One of the UK’s most prestigious business accolades, recognising outstanding achievement in social and environmental sustainability, and celebrating the success of exciting and innovative businesses which are leading the way with pioneering products or services, delivering impressive social mobility programmes, or showing their commitment to excellent sustainable development practices.

Natwest SE100 Index List 2022

The Natwest SE100 Index List names the top 100 social enterprises across the UK each year

Natwest Wise100 Awards 2022 Finalist

Elaine Brown, Edinburgh Remakery CEO, named as one of the top 100 Women in Social Enterprise across the UK, and one of the top 5 finalists of the Natwest WISE100 Environmental Champion award queens award


Elaine Brown, Edinburgh Remakery CEO, named as one of the top 100 Women in Social Enterprise across the UK, and one of the top 5 finalists of the Natwest WISE100 Environmental Champion award.

VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards 2022 Finalist

Recognising businesses that have championed sustainability by identifying ways to tackle the impact on the planet by reducing consumption of its resources.


Recognising businesses that have championed sustainability by identifying ways to tackle the impact on the planet by reducing consumption of its resources.

ECC Excellence in Circular Economy Award Winner 2021

Each year the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce recognise and award Edinburgh’s top performing businesses in their ECC Awards.


Each year the Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce recognise and award Edinburgh’s top performing businesses in their ECC Awards. In 2021, the Edinburgh Remakery was awarded the Excellence in Circular Economy Award.

VIBES Scottish Environment Business Awards – Good Practice Award 2021

An award recognising the commitment and actions of businesses towards achieving net zero carbon emissions.

British Chambers of Commerce (BCC) UK Business Hero Award 2020

The Business Hero awards recognise the work that UK businesses are doing in the most challenging of years.


The Business Hero awards recognise the work that UK businesses are doing in the most challenging of years. The Edinburgh Remakery were recognised for supporting the local community throughout the covid-19 outbreak.

FSB Environmental Business of the Year 2020 Area Finalist

The annual FSB Awards celebrate the achievements and contributions of small businesses and the self-employed across the UK

Donate items

You’re not alone, many of us have drawers full of forgotten laptops, phones, and gadgets. Instead of letting them go to waste, bring them to Edinburgh Remakery! We will repair and refurbish what we can, giving your old tech a second life and keeping it out of landfill. Visit our Donate Items page for full details on how to pass on your old Tech and help us #Remakeadifference.

Donate funds

We gratefully receive all donations to our charity, all of which help us do more good both within our communities and for our planet.

 

We reduce digital poverty and social isolation amongst our most in need communities, by gifting free refurbished laptops to individuals and families experiencing financial hardship.

 

We run free Community Clubs which improve people’s mental health and wellbeing. Our clubs provide a safe and welcoming space for people to reconnect and chat over a cup of tea or coffee and cake.

 

We help our planet by teaching valuable sustainable skills around repair and reuse through our workshops and free weekly Repair Cafe’s, and we repair electronic devices to stop these from going to landfill and causing pollution.

 

Your donations help us do these things and so much more! Visit our CAF Donate page to support us today.

Leave a gift in your will

Commemorate those who have passed on by supporting a cause that they loved.

 

The Edinburgh Remakery make it easy to celebrate someone’s life and preserve their memory through funeral collections and legacy gifting.

 

We’re incredibly grateful to receive support through any funeral collections and legacy gifting, by ensuring any funds we receive in this way are put towards helping the planet and supporting our communities.

 

If you would like further advice or information on making a funeral donation or including a gift in your will, please contact our Fundraising Manager, Barbara Hamilton at barbara@edinburghremakery.org.uk

Volunteer

Meet new people, learn new skills, and build your confidence by volunteering with us at the Edinburgh Remakery.

 

There are so many ways you can help our planet and our communities by becoming a volunteer with us. As well as that warm fuzzy feeling of knowing you’re making a positive difference, you’ll also gain valuable skills, learn all sorts about the circular economy and sustainability, and meet some amazing people in the process.

 

Visit our volunteer opportunities page for the latest vacancies, or drop us an email with some details about yourself and your availability and we’ll get back in touch – hello@edinburghremakery.org.uk

Reinvigorate your Wardrobe

Learn practical and simple ways to ways to repair, modify and upcycle the clothes you have, so you don’t have to buy new!

 

Extend the life of your clothes and reinvigorate your wardrobe in a 2-hour or 3-hour hands-on workshop with one of our sewing experts.

Book Sculpture

Explore the world of Book Sculpture and keep your books from going to waste.

 

During this 3-hour workshop you will learn to transform books into pieces of sculptural art. Learn how to fold, tear, cut, glue, stamp, paint and stitch the pages of your chosen book. Decorate your creation with collage, pockets, small 3D objects, papier-mâché and other embellishments.

Sewing Machine Skills

Learn all the basic skills when it comes to machine sewing in this fun, accessible 3-hour workshop.

 

This workshop will introduce you to a sewing machine and its various parts, going over what each of these do, and how it all works, ending with you making a simple item to take home with you using your newfound skills!

Book-Binding Workshops

For anyone who wants to have fun while learning a new skill, and make use of second-hand and scrap materials to repurpose into something beautiful and useable.

 

Our 3-hour Bookbinding workshops can teach you to make a range of different books that can be used as sketchbooks, notebooks, journals, or to keep treasured mementos safe. Bookbinding technique options include Traditional Japanese Stab Binding, Unique Notebook with a Twist, Piano Hinge Book or Coptic Binding

One Piece of Paper Workshop

In this creative and crafty workshop participants will use just one single sheet of A3 paper (such as a large postal envelope) to make one of two books of their choosing:

 

Book One: An accordion pocketbook where you can store small treasures, such as ephemera, drawings or photos.

 

Book Two: Decorate, cut and fold a 16-page book, creating abstract patterns and an inventive closure system.

 

A versatile workshop that can run from between 2-3 hours

Crochet

In this creative and crafty workshop participants will use just one single sheet of A3 paper (such as a large postal envelope) to make one of two books of their choosing:

 

Book One: An accordion pocketbook where you can store small treasures, such as ephemera, drawings or photos.

 

Book Two: Decorate, cut and fold a 16-page book, creating abstract patterns and an inventive closure system.

 

A versatile workshop that can run from between 2-3 hours

Boro & Shashiko

In this creative and crafty workshop participants will use just one single sheet of A3 paper (such as a large postal envelope) to make one of two books of their choosing:

 

Book One: An accordion pocketbook where you can store small treasures, such as ephemera, drawings or photos.

 

Book Two: Decorate, cut and fold a 16-page book, creating abstract patterns and an inventive closure system.

 

A versatile workshop that can run from between 2-3 hours

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