A recycling campaigner who organises litter-walks around the streets of Tottenham is running upcycling workshops at Lordship Rec Hub.

Two workshops have been held already on October 13 and November 17, where people took part in a 30-minute guided walk and litter pick, before returning to the Hub for a 90-minute creative recycling workshop.

Future walks and workshops are planned for Friday December 15 focussing on plastic packaging, and Friday January 19 where the subject of glass and bottle painting will be covered.

The idea is for people to upcycle objects they would normally discard into things they can take home and use.

Catia, said: “I feel there is a lot to do, especially around waste and education.

“I’ve always done creative recycling as a hobby, but in the last few years I decided to make something of it.

“Creative recycling is a way to demonstrate that we should reduce our waste.

“There are so many different things we can do with waste instead of just buying and throwing away.”

“If I can teach this through art, people will enjoy and remember it.

“I like people to bring their own waste to the groups, then they can see that they can make a different choice each day.”

Catia Squarcia works at the University of London teaching students living in Halls of Residence how to save energy and water, and recycle more.

Her ambition is to improve the borough’s green spaces and streets while teaching people about sustainability and recycling in an interesting and active way.

Catia, continued: “Most of the items come from household waste like cardboard, bags, cans and so on.

“The best thing I’ve made is shopping bags from cardboard.

“They’re really decorated and when people use them they can spread the word.

“I would like to raise awareness around waste, recycling and litter so that people can feel more connected to the place where they live.”

For Catia the walks and workshops are also a way to build community cohesion, and get people talking.

When she arrived in London from her native Italy two years ago she found her first experiences of the city quite solitary.

Since starting her project Catia has met many people who live in the same area that she does.

Catia, continued: “These litter walks are also about socialising, chatting, meeting your neighbour.

“There’s a sense of building a stronger community.”

For more information about Catia’s project email katiasqua@gmail.com or visit caticreative.wordpress.com, www.facebook.com/CatiCreaACtive/ and twitter.com/CatiCreACtive.