Junkk.com, the brainchild of former advertising agency owner Peter Martin, has its sights on "shaking up attitudes and practices surrounding waste materials and packaging by offering people suggestions for reusing packaging they might otherwise throw out via a unique, searchable database of ideas".
Martin says: "We're not looking to beat people into reuse and recycling, but many items they might otherwise discard - from yoghurt pots to clamshell packs - can be put to a valuable second use, recycled, or swapped with another Junkk.com user or indeed bought by them."
Martin hopes manufacturers, retailers and businesses will upload basic material specifications, dimensions etc of their products and packaging, alongside information and suggestions on recycling and reuse. He says: "Not only can participating businesses boost their public perception, but the site could also offer them a valuable revenue stream. We have talked to several enthusiastic retailers, but need a big one to get behind us to really get the ball rolling."
Martin hopes soon to include full details on local authorities' recycling services nationwide, while the "ideas database" will be complemented by the JunkkXchange "matchmaking" service - where users can offer or look for unwanted items with potential second uses.
